In 2012, a team of researchers set a world record, transmitting 1 petabit of data— that's 10,000 hours of high-def video— over a fifty-kilometer cable, in a second. This wasn't just any cable. It was a souped-up version of fiber optics, the hidden network that links our planet and makes the internet possible. What is fiber optics and how does it work? Sajan Saini explores the vital technology. [Directed by Artrake Studio, narrated by Addison Anderson].

Sajan Saini: The hidden network that makes the internet possible

The hidden network that makes the internet possible

Innovative silicon photonic chips are transforming data centers by converting electrical signals to optical, enhancing efficiency and speed.

Unlocking terahertz frequencies for mobile data could revolutionize wireless connectivity, offering speeds thousands of times faster.

Fiber optics, transmitting petabits in seconds, underpin our global internet, enabling vast data flows with minimal loss.