Alcatel-Lucent sets broadband speed record using copper
Might a research heavyweight open a new door to gigabit speed with the use of copper? Alcatel-Lucent on Wednesday said it set a new world record broadband speed of 10Gbps for transmission of data using traditional copper telephone lines. The prime mover of this breakthrough was Bell Labs, the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent. What is more, the Labs' use of a prototype technology, according to the announcement, shows how existing copper access networks can be used to deliver 1Gbps symmetrical ultra-broadband access services.
What do they mean by 1 Gbps symmetrical services? This is where bandwidth can be split to provide simultaneous upload and download speeds of 1 Gbps, and this is treated as a copper broadband breakthrough. Operators will be able to provide Internet connection speeds indistinguishable from fiber-to-the-home services. Not all locations are considered physically, economically or aesthetically viable for laying new fiber cables all the way into residences. This breakthrough would mean that "fiber can be brought to the curbside, wall or basement of a building," said the company, "and the existing copper network used for the final few meters."
