Slow to adapt, why is fiber optic cable still 'unrivaled'?

Distinguished by its ability to transmit data over long distances, fiber optic cables are being used to provide the majority of internet connectivity globally.

Made from thin glass or plastic fibers, fiber optic cables work by shining light onto one end, which then reflects along the cable due to the phenomenon of "internal total reflection," allowing data to be transmitted over long distances without being absorbed by the outer covering. When the signal reaches its destination, the optical receiver decodes the data, converting the light into an electrical signal so that devices such as computers, phones, or TVs can receive and process the information.

Billions of people use the internet every day thanks to technology from the 1950s.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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Although it's the latest upgrade from internet service providers, fiber optic cable has actually been around since the 1950s. However, its popularity only increased in the 1980s, when companies like AT&T began installing it for their infrastructure.

Fiber optics are the backbone of modern society.

Even though it has been around for a long time, fiber optic cable has not changed significantly. While there have been improvements in density and cladding to minimize data loss, the core concept of fiber optic cable remains the same. One of the newer improvements is "hollow" cable, which allows for the transmission of more data per glass fiber, with estimates suggesting that light travels through hollow fibers 50% faster, thereby reducing latency and increasing transmission speed.

Currently, the world record for data transmission speed via fiber optic cable has reached 1.02 petabits per second, set by Japanese scientists . They are researching advancements that could be applied to long-distance communication in the future.

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Despite the slow pace of fiber optic cable development, it remains an ideal solution for providing internet access to rural areas in many countries around the world , including Vietnam. While satellite internet services like Starlink are gaining popularity, their speeds still cannot compare to a full fiber optic network. However, not every place on Earth has access to fiber optic internet, meaning many people still lack access to the world's best internet connection.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cham-thay-doi-vi-sao-cap-quang-van-chua-co-doi-thu-185260622124446539.htm