China has achieved a significant milestone by launching the world’s first next-generation internet service, surpassing industry predictions by two years.
The backbone network, spanning over 3,000km, can transmit data at an impressive 1.2 terabits per second—more than 10 times faster than existing major routes.
Activated in July and officially launched recently, the achievement resulted from a collaboration between Tsinghua University, China Mobile, Huawei Technologies, and Cernet Corporation.
This accomplishment defies expectations, as experts forecasted that such ultra-high-speed networks would not emerge until around 2025. The Beijing-Wuhan-Guangzhou connection is part of the 10-year-long Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, a crucial component of China’s national education and research network.
The domestically developed backbone network is a strategic move for China, reducing reliance on foreign technology and demonstrating the country’s capability to innovate in internet infrastructure.
The superfast line, described as a technological leap, is not only operational but also positions China to build an even faster internet in the future.
Over the last decade, China has intensified its efforts to advance internet and technology development. The nation’s digital economy expanded from 11 trillion yuan ($151.07 billion) in 2012 to an impressive 50.2 trillion yuan in 2022, securing a global lead in various facets, including internet applications, user numbers, and advancements in artificial intelligence.
In line with this, China secured the second position in the Global Internet Development Index. The results underscored China and the United States as global frontrunners, with China closely trailing the U.S. in the ranking.