Fiber Optics Revolutionize Data Transmission Since 1960

The evolution of fiber optics has transformed data transmission since its inception in the early 1960s. On November 1, 1960, physicist Narinder Singh Kapany published a pivotal article in *Scientific American*, outlining how light could be transmitted through glass fibers. This groundbreaking research laid the foundation for modern fiber optic communications, paving the way for significant advancements in technology.

Over the decades, fiber optics have rapidly developed, becoming essential for both industrial and consumer applications. They underpin the critical undersea cables that drive the global digital economy and ensure reliable internet access in homes. Compared to older copper wiring, fiber optics provide distinct advantages, particularly in latency and bandwidth. The phenomenon known as ‘attenuation’—the loss of light between signal input and output—is considerably lower in optical fibers than in copper cables. This efficiency makes long-distance fiber connections more feasible and cost-effective.

The benefits of fiber optics have become increasingly apparent to consumers, particularly with the rise of fiber optic broadband services in the past decade. These services deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional copper-based options, enhancing communication and data transfer.

Record-Setting Transmission Speeds

There have been numerous milestones in fiber optic transmission speeds over the past 40 years. In 2006, NTT, a leading telecommunications company in Japan, achieved a remarkable transmission speed of 111 gigabits per second. The following year, researchers at Bell Labs reported even greater advancements, recording speeds of 100 terabits per second over a single 7,000-kilometer fiber cable.

In a more recent achievement, researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) set a new record by reaching a transmission capacity of 22.9 petabits per second. These developments illustrate the continuous progress in fiber optics, which is essential for meeting the demands of an increasingly connected world.

Innovations and Future Directions

Recent advancements suggest that the future of fiber optics may be even more promising. A study published in 2025 highlighted the potential of plastic optical fiber (POF) technology as a significant breakthrough, particularly for data centers and networking solutions. Research conducted by Keio University in Japan focused on developing new plastic-based fibers ahead of the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC).

The team at Keio aimed to tackle critical challenges in artificial intelligence infrastructure, specifically the need for reduced latency and ultra-high capacity communication between graphics processing units (GPUs) and accelerators. Their findings indicated that plastic-based optics not only lowered production costs compared to glass fibers but also maintained transmission speeds and signal integrity.

These developments signify that fiber optics will continue to play a crucial role in the future of telecommunications and data transmission, driving innovations that enhance connectivity and efficiency in a world increasingly reliant on digital communication.