A new fiber optic network developed by Verizon can allow users to finish downloading a two-hour HD movie in just eight seconds.
According to the company, its recently tested next-generation passive optical network, or NG-PON2, can provide download and upload speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, NBC News reported. This is 10 times faster than what Google Fiber can do, which already provides speeds 100 times faster than other traditional broadband connections.
Currently, Verizon's network is composed of fiber optic cables that send out light signals through glass strands. For the NG-PON2, the company used a new optical line terminal that is capable of generating four different colors of light. According to Market Watch, each wavelength is capable of producing 10 gigabits by 2.5 gigabits.
By simply adding new light colors to the fiber, the company can increase the network's speed from 40 to 80 gigabits per second.
Verizon recently field tested the NG-PON2 at its head office in Framingham, Mass., by proving broadband connection to a customer's home located three miles away from the facility. It was also tested with a local business office.
Although the results of the tests were positive, Verizon did not mention when it plans to offer its latest technology as a service to consumers. However, executives from the company assured the public that the NG-PON2 will become an industry standard in the near future, Computer World has learned.
According to Verizon, this is the company's way of preparing for upcoming technological trends and innovations. Although speeds of 80 or even 10 gigabits per second may seem too much for an average user, the company believes these rates may soon become a standard given the evolving demands of consumers.
With the popularity of 4K video content and predictions about the number of online-connected devices hitting 25 billion five years from now, the company wants to ensure that it will be able to provide reliable services to its subscribers.
