China has set a new benchmark for internet speed by unveiling a groundbreaking service capable of transferring a staggering 1.2 terabytes of data per second.
This ultra-high-speed internet connection, three times faster than the fastest in the United States and ten times faster than most major routes globally, was officially launched during a press conference on Monday.
The 1,864-mile (3,000km) fiber optic cable, spanning from Beijing to Wuhan and Guangzhou, forms the backbone of this revolutionary network.
To put its speed into perspective, it can transfer a remarkable 150 high-definition movies every second, shattering records and surpassing industry expectations by launching two years ahead of schedule.
The network went live on July 31 but was officially introduced after successful testing.
The collaborative effort behind this technological milestone involved Tsinghua University, a leading academic institution in China, partnering with key players such as China Mobile, Huawei, and the China Education and Research Network (CERNET).
Functioning as a ‘backbone’ connection, this ultra-high-speed service will play a crucial role in the core of the internet, facilitating the rapid transfer of vast amounts of data between different computer networks.
This development comes as a significant leap forward, especially considering that terabyte-speed services were not anticipated until at least 2025.
In comparison, the United States upgraded its internet backbone service, Internet2, to reach speeds of 400 gigabytes per second just last year.
Globally, most backbone services are more than 10 times slower than China’s newly launched connection, typically transferring around 100 gigabytes per second. China’s achievement marks a major advancement in internet infrastructure and positions the country at the forefront of high-speed connectivity.
