10Gbps speed reached using experimental new protocol. Most of the higher-speed Internet connections used by businesses these days require fiber-optic cabling, but Alcatel-Lucent’s Bell Labs division claimed this week to have reached 10Gbps using nothing but new transmission technology and ordinary copper wiring. The technology, called XG-FAST, is an outgrowth of a standard undergoing final review at the International Telecommunications Union, called G.fast. The G.fast specification calls for the use of a wide spectrum range of 106MHz – far larger than that used by existing DSL technology. Effectively, G.fast can send or receive data much faster than conventional DSL, though it can only do so over comparatively short distances, around 100 meters. + ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD: Blackshades RAT analysis finds key to popularity | Early user of VMware NSX net virtualization tool extols fine grain controls + XG-FAST takes the concept and runs with it, using fully 500MHz of spectrum range, further increasing transmission speed and limiting usable distance. Bell Labs said in a statement that the 10Gbps mark was reached using two pairs of copper cable lines, over a distance of just 30 meters. A further experiment using a single copper pair, achieved 1Gbps speeds over 70 meters. The idea, according to Bell Labs, is to use the technology as a last-few-feet connection. “It will enable operators to provide Internet connection speeds that are indistinguishable from fiber-to-the-home services, a major business benefit in locations where it is not physically, economically or aesthetically viable to lay new fiber cables all the way into residences,” the statement said. Federico Guillén, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s fixed network business, said that the result opens up new possibilities for service providers. “By making 1 gigabit symmetrical services over copper a real possibility, Bell Labs is offering the telecommunications industry a new way to ensure no customer is left behind when it comes to ultra-broadband access.” The previous claim for world record speed over copper appears to be from Nokia Siemens Networks, which posted a mark of 825Mbps in 2010. Related content analysis What is a virtual machine, and why are they so useful? Many of today’s IT innovations have their roots in virtual machines (VM) and their ability to separate software from hardware. By Keith Shaw May 03, 2024 9 mins Virtualization Data Center Networking analysis What is DNS and how does it work? The Domain Name System resolves the names of internet sites with their underlying IP addresses, adding efficiency and security in the process. By Josh Fruhlinger and Keith Shaw May 03, 2024 11 mins Internet Networking news Appeal court overturns $1.6bn mainframe software ‘poaching’ ruling against IBM AT&T ‘independently decided” to replace BMC software, the appeals court found. By John Leyden May 03, 2024 1 min Mainframes news Cisco, Red Hat extend networking, AI integrations Cisco and Red Hat will demo new network product integrations and introduce AI validated designs at the upcoming Red Hat Summit 2024. By Michael Cooney May 03, 2024 4 mins Network Virtualization Cloud Computing Networking PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe