UCL research breaks wireless speed record, achieving 938 Gb/s—9,400 times faster than UK's average 5G speeds

Researchers at UCL have hit a groundbreaking achievement in wireless data transmission, hitting speeds of 938 Gigabits per second (Gb/s) over a frequency range of 5–150 Gigahertz (GHz). This speed is nearly 9,400 times faster than the UK's average 5G download speed of 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s). The research, which is available in detail in the Journal of Lightwave Technology, breaks previous wireless transmission records by utilizing a bandwidth that is nearly five times larger.

Wireless networks typically operate at low frequencies, under 6GHz, which leads to congestion and limits data transmission speeds. The UCL team addressed this limitation by combining radio and optical technologies, which in turn created a way more efficient system for transmitting data across a wider frequency range.

This tech is expected to be the next big step in wireless communications via providing faster, more reliable connections for devices. The new system has potential applications in boosting Wi-Fi speeds at home, improving mobile internet connectivity in densely populated areas, and supporting future 5G and 6G networks.

Though currently in the lab stage, researchers are already planning to develop a commercial prototype in the coming years.