23 Daily — According to techspot.com, on October 27, 2026, a Chinese research and engineering team set a new record for real-time bidirectional data transmission through a single optical fiber, reaching 3.2 petabits per second (Pbps). This surpassed the group's earlier record of 2.5 Pbps set earlier in the year, marking a significant advancement in fiber-optic communication technology.
Achieving Breakthrough Speeds Using 24-Core Fiber and Multi-Band Parallel Channels
The record was achieved by researchers from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) National Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Technologies and Networks, Peng Cheng Laboratory, and FiberHome Fujikura. Utilizing a 24-core optical fiber over a distance of 10.3 km, they engineered thousands of parallel channels across three wavelength bands to dramatically increase bandwidth. The team developed in-house optical modules capable of real-time data transfer conforming to current commercial standards.
Laboratory tests with similar 24-core fibers have previously reached higher speeds but relied on experimental equipment and signal-processing devices, whereas this effort achieved a practical real-time bidirectional transmission.
Implications for AI Data Centers and Future High-Performance Networks
As the artificial intelligence industry rapidly expands, data centers face increasing traffic demands that approach the capacity limits of single-mode optical fibers. Petabit-level data channels like this new 3.2 Pbps record are viewed as essential in sustaining high-speed data exchange. Beyond AI, such technology can support interconnection of massive computing centers and backbone networks for emerging 6G wireless services.
The research results were selected for presentation at the 2026 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and have been invited for publication in a scientific journal.
Editor's take: High-Speed Fiber Technology Opens New Paths and Challenges for Startups
This achievement by the Chinese team highlights the immense potential of next-generation fiber communication technologies. For entrepreneurs, this translates to lowered technical barriers for ultra-high-speed, high-capacity network infrastructure, empowering new cloud services, AI platforms, and 5G/6G applications.
Startups can explore partnership opportunities and develop downstream application devices and software solutions compatible with such high-speed communication standards. Monitoring scientific conferences and journal publications will be critical to assess the commercial maturity and scalability of these technologies, helping startups decide on the right timing and strategies for market entry.