The current internet infrastructure is not able to support independent development and innovation at physical and network layer functionalities, protocols and services, while at the same time supporting the increasing bandwidth demands of changing and diverse applications. Scientists say that for the first time, revolutionary internet technologies may enable internet traffic to travel at the speed of light, while being completely open and programmable. The study was first published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. The research introduces new concepts of open source optical internet enabled by optical white box and software defined network technologies.
Reza Nejabati, from University of Bristol in UK said, these technologies will hide complexity of optical networks and open them up for traditional programmers and application developers to create new type of internet applications taking advantages of speed of light. New internet technologies frequently emerge, but most of them rarely result in new and revolutionary internet applications. The technologies suggested could pave the way for the creation of new internet services and applications not previously possible or disruptive. The technologies could also potentially change the balance of power from vendors and operators that are monopolising the current internet infrastructure to wider users and service providers.
With internet traffic buzzing at the speed of light, more and more independent applications and indigenous services are bound to come up that depend increasingly on the internet to attain their purpose. Communication across the world will reach a whole new level and the world will become smaller than it already is.
What according to you will be the most important outcome of this recent development related to the internet? Will it help in creating a new era of communication and technology? Or will it fizz out with time? Let us know your opinions through the comments section below or through any of our social media channels.
