Fiber optic cable with the highest transmission capacity

The current world record for fiber optic transmission is held by a 19-core optical fiber achieving 1.02 petabits per second over 1,808 kilometers.Record-Breaking 19-Core Optical FiberResearchers from Sumitomo Electric and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) developed a 19-core optical fiber with a standard 0.125 mm cladding diameter that achieved 1.02 petabits per second over a distance of 1,808 km, setting a new world record for long-distance high-capacity transmission . This corresponds to a capacity-distance product of 1.86 exabits per second-km, the highest ever recorded for standard-diameter optical fibers . Each of the 19 cores carries data independently, effectively creating a 19-lane “superhighway” for optical signals .Technical InnovationsMulti-core design: The 19 cores are coupled within a single cladding, allowing simultaneous high-speed transmission without increasing the fiber diameter .Low-loss across multiple wavelength bands: Optimized core arrangement reduces signal attenuation in both the C-band and L-band .Optical amplification system: A specialized relay system amplifies signals from all 19 cores simultaneously, enabling long-distance transmission without significant signal degradation .Comparison to Previous TechnologiesEarlier 19-core fibers achieved 1.7 petabits per second, but only over short distances of around 63.5 km . The new fiber extends this capability to nearly 2,000 km, making it suitable for intercity or international backbone networks .High-Density Optical Fiber CablesFor hyperscale data centers, companies like Furukawa Electric have started mass production of ultra-high count optical fiber cables with up to 13,824 fibers per cable, using rollable ribbon technology to maximize density while keeping the cable diameter under 40 mm . These cables are designed for high-capacity, short-distance applications within data centers, complementing long-distance multi-core fibers.ApplicationsLong-distance backbone networks: Connecting major cities or countries with ultra-high-speed data links.Hyperscale data centers: Supporting massive data traffic from AI, cloud computing, and generative AI workloads.Future-proof networks: Preparing infrastructure for 6G, IoT, and other high-bandwidth applications . In summary, the 19-core optical fiber achieving 1.02 petabits per second over 1,808 km currently represents the highest transmission capacity in practical long-distance fiber optic technology, while ultra-high count cables like the 13,824-fiber design optimize capacity for dense data center environments .