Japan has broken the world record for internet speed, reaching an incredible 402 terabits per second (Tbps). That’s fast enough to download the entire Netflix library in just 1 second. This achievement was made by scientists at NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology).

What does 402 Tbps really mean?
Let’s break it down into simpler numbers:

How did Japan do it?

The researchers used a special optical fiber cable that contains 4 cores instead of 1, which allows data to travel through multiple channels at the same time.

They also used wavelength-division multiplexing – this means sending data through different light colors (wavelengths). In total, they used 1,505 wavelengths to send signals at the same time.

The result:
Blazing-fast speed of 402 Tbps over a 51.7 km distance.

Why is this important?

Our internet needs are growing fast with things like:

• 4K and 8K video streaming

• Cloud gaming

• AI systems

• Real-time communication

• Smart cities and devices

Current internet systems are struggling to keep up.
This new speed means we can transfer huge amounts of data instantly, with no lag or buffering.

Can I get this speed at home?

Not yet. This technology is still in the testing phase. But the good news is:

• It works on optical fiber cables similar to what we already use

• This means it can be added to existing internet infrastructure in the future

So while your home Wi-Fi won’t hit 402 Tbps tomorrow, this breakthrough is a major step forward for faster and smarter internet in the next 5–10 years.

What could this mean in the future?

• Instant downloads of games, movies, and apps

• Seamless 3D and VR streaming

• Faster communication between space stations and Earth

• Real-time AI processing for cars, robots, and health systems

• Zero buffering no matter how high-quality the video