China has officially launched the world’s fastest internet connection. This ultra-fast internet, developed through a collaboration between Tsinghua University, China Mobile, Huawei, and Cernet Corporation, boasts an astonishing bandwidth of 1.2 Terabits per second. To put this into perspective, it’s capable of downloading approximately 150 high-definition movies in a mere second.
The network stretches over 3,000 kilometers, linking Beijing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. It is a key component of the Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, backed by the Chinese government.
The FITI network, which began its testing phase on July 31, has been reported to function with remarkable stability and reliability, surpassing numerous rigorous tests. Its speed is ten times faster than most of the world’s existing internet systems, a feat that was not anticipated by industry experts until at least 2025. The United States, for instance, recently completed its transition to a 400 Gbps internet, making China’s new network three times faster.
The entire network, including both hardware and software, is made with domestically produced components, reducing reliance on foreign technology from countries like the U.S. and Japan. This move towards technological autonomy is significant, considering the global reliance on a few key players for internet infrastructure.
The network’s core nodes are distributed across 40 universities in 35 cities, showcasing the integration of China’s academic sector in this technological advancement. Xu Mingwei of Tsinghua University compared the new internet backbone to a high-speed railway, which replaces ten regular tracks, thus creating a more efficient and manageable system.
Moreover, this development is part of a broader push in Chinese telecommunications advancements. The Chinese government recently announced a $15 billion investment in a medium to high orbit quantum telecommunications infrastructure, aiming to expand its reach and capabilities in data transmission over larger terrestrial surfaces.
