Image Courtesy: DFTELECOM
Chinese researchers have successfully demonstrated what they describe as the world’s first field trial of a hollow-core optical fiber transmission system capable of delivering 1.2 terabits per second per wavelength. The achievement marks a significant step toward faster, lower-latency communication networks that could power future internet infrastructure and large-scale data centers.
The project was carried out by China Telecom, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), and Dekoli as part of a national research initiative focused on advanced optical fiber technologies. During the field test, the team transmitted a total of 51.3 terabits per second across a 128-mile (206-kilometer) commercial cross-border hollow-core fiber cable without using signal repeaters, according to TrendForce.
Unlike conventional fiber-optic cables that carry light through solid glass, hollow-core fiber transmits light through air. This design reduces signal latency while increasing transmission capacity, making it an attractive candidate for next-generation backbone networks and high-performance data centers.
The researchers also addressed one of the technology’s biggest challenges by demonstrating stable, high-power signal transmission in a real-world environment rather than under laboratory conditions. To maximize performance, they implemented an adaptive per-wavelength rate control system alongside flexible channel power allocation. Instead of treating every wavelength equally, the system dynamically adjusted data rates, channel spacing, and power levels for each optical channel, improving overall transmission efficiency.
To support high-capacity communications, the team developed a new optical amplifier based on a cascaded dual-gain-unit architecture with a multi-element doping design. The amplifier delivered consistent signal gain across operating ranges while achieving a maximum output power of 33.5 dBm, helping maintain reliable long-distance transmission.
The system also incorporated multiple safety features, including optical power anomaly detection, automatic shutdown mechanisms, and alarm-linked responses to quickly identify faults and prevent equipment damage during high-power operation.
Although the demonstration represents an important milestone for hollow-core fiber technology, further deployments and large-scale commercial adoption will be needed before the technology becomes a standard part of global communications networks. If successfully commercialized, hollow-core fiber could play a key role in supporting the growing bandwidth demands of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and future internet infrastructure.
Alternative headline: China Just Sent 51.3 Tb/s Through a Single Fiber, And It Could Transform the Future of the Internet
