Researchers from University College London (UCL) have set a new world record in wireless transmission, achieving a speed of 938 Gbps over a frequency range of 5-150 GHz. This breakthrough is nearly 9,400 times faster than the average UK 5G download speed of 100 Mbps. The team combined radio and optical technologies to access a wider range of frequencies, solving congestion issues that have slowed down current wireless networks operating below 6 GHz.
By integrating high-speed electronics for the 5-50 GHz range with millimeter-wave photonics for 50-150 GHz, UCL researchers enabled more efficient use of the wireless spectrum. This approach significantly increases bandwidth and signal quality, setting the stage for faster and more reliable wireless networks. The 145 GHz bandwidth used is five times higher than the previous wireless transmission record and could help meet the growing demand for data capacity in the coming years.
The technology could revolutionize mobile internet speeds, particularly in high-density areas such as stadiums or city centers. For example, a 14GB 4K movie that would take 19 minutes to download with current 5G technology could be downloaded in just 0.12 seconds using this new system. Commercial prototypes are expected to be available for testing in the next three to five years.
• Wireless transmission speed: 938 Gbps
• Frequency range: 5-150 GHz
• Bandwidth: 145 GHz
• Comparison: 14GB 4K movie download in 0.12 seconds
• Commercial availability: prototype within 3-5 years
Dr. Zhixin Liu from UCL stated, “Our solution uses more of the available frequencies to increase bandwidth while maintaining high signal quality, resulting in super-fast and reliable wireless networks.”
