This is big news! China has launched the world’s first next-generation internet service, surpassing industry predictions by a staggering two years. This new backbone network, a critical data highway connecting major cities, boasts an impressive data transmission speed of 1.2 terabits per second. This speed is over ten times faster than most current major internet routes and marks a significant leap in global internet.

The high speeds were achieved through extensive optical fiber cabling

Spanning over 3,000 kilometers, the network links Beijing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou through an extensive optical fiber cabling system. Officially operational since July, the network’s reliability and efficiency have been thoroughly tested and proven. This groundbreaking achievement results from a collaborative effort involving Tsinghua University, China Mobile, Huawei Technologies, and Cernet Corporation.

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Image Credits: Marc Olivier

While most global internet backbone networks currently operate at around 100 gigabits per second, China’s new network smashes this standard, even surpassing the United States‘ recent upgrade to a 400 gigabits per second Internet2. The Beijing-Wuhan-Guangzhou connection is part of the ambitious Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, a decade in the making and an advanced iteration of the China Education and Research Network (Cernet).

The FITI project, under the leadership of Wu Jianping from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, aims to not just create a superfast line but to lay the foundation for an even faster internet in the future. Huawei Technologies’ vice-president Wang Lei highlighted the network’s remarkable capacity, capable of transferring data equivalent to 150 high-definition films in just one second.

This new network is likened to a superfast train track, replacing multiple regular tracks to carry the same amount of data, as described by Tsinghua University’s Xu Mingwei. This analogy underscores the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the new system, making it easier to manage while handling a significantly higher data load.

Beyond its technical abilities, the network is crucial for national education, research, and emerging needs in data transfer for applications such as connected electric vehicles and industrial 5G technology. The FITI project, supported by the government and managed by the Education Ministry, represents a remarkable milestone, not only in internet technology but also in China’s pursuit of technological independence.

The network’s development involved domestic production of all software and hardware components, marking a shift from China’s previous reliance on foreign technology. The team led by Wu Jianping has made significant advancements in routers, switches, and optical fiber connections, demonstrating China’s growing prowess in internet technology.

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