Fiber Optics Revolutionizes Data Transmission Since 1960

Fiber optics has fundamentally transformed data transmission since its inception, with significant advancements marking its journey from a novel concept to a global standard. In November 1960, physicist Narinder Singh Kapany published a pivotal article in *Scientific American*, laying the foundation for fiber optic technology. His research detailed how directing light through a glass fiber could enable efficient communication, a principle that would evolve into today’s fiber optic networks.

The technology has undergone rapid improvements, becoming integral to both industrial and consumer applications. Fiber optics now underpins the critical undersea cables that sustain the global digital economy and connect homes to the internet. Compared to traditional copper wiring, fiber optics offers substantial advantages, particularly in latency and bandwidth. The phenomenon known as ‘attenuation’—the loss of signal strength during transmission—is significantly lower in optical fibers than in copper cables, enhancing the feasibility of long-distance connections. Additionally, fiber optics presents cost benefits that have further propelled its adoption.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in fiber optic broadband services, offering consumers unprecedented speed compared to older copper-based systems. The evolution of transmission speeds has been remarkable, with several key milestones achieved over the past four decades. For instance, in 2006, NTT recorded transmission speeds of 111 gigabits per second. This was eclipsed in 2009 when researchers at Bell Labs demonstrated speeds of 100 terabits per second over a single 7,000-kilometer fiber cable.

Remarkably, researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) recently achieved a record-breaking transmission capacity of 22.9 petabits per second, illustrating the ongoing advancements in the field.

Continuous Innovations in Fiber Technology

Ongoing research continues to refine fiber optic technology. A study conducted in 2025 highlighted the potential of plastic optical fiber (POF) technology, particularly for data centers and networking applications. Researchers from Keio University in Japan presented innovations at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) aimed at addressing the demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure. They focused on the necessity for lower latency and ultra-high capacity communications between graphics processing units and accelerators.

Their findings indicated that plastic-based optics could significantly reduce manufacturing costs compared to traditional glass fibers while maintaining transmission speeds and signal integrity. This breakthrough signifies a promising shift in fiber optic technology, enhancing its applicability in future communications.

As fiber optics continues to evolve, its impact on global connectivity and data transmission remains profound. The advancements initiated by pioneers like Narinder Singh Kapany have paved the way for a future where communication is faster, more efficient, and more accessible than ever before. The journey since 1960 has been marked by remarkable innovation, and the field is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.