The evolution of connection speeds
In the 1990s, dial-up connection offered speeds of 56 Kbps, taking minutes to load a single image. ADSL from the 2000s brought speeds up to 8 Mbps, revolutionizing browsing. Today, fiber optic offers speeds of 1 Gbps or more, 18,000 times faster than dial-up.
From fiber to future connections
Fiber optic, massively deployed since 2010, uses light pulses to transmit data at incredible speeds. Currently, Li-Fi technology (internet via visible light) and 6G networks are being researched, promising speeds up to 1 Tbps (1000 Gbps). This would allow downloading a 4K movie in less than a second.
Fascinating curiosities about internet speed
• The unmistakable dial-up sound: Modems from the 90s made the famous "beep-beep-beeeep" for 30-60 seconds to connect. This noise was the "conversation" between modems establishing the connection.
• Phone line busy: While you were connected to the internet, nobody could call you. It was common for the family to complain because "you were occupying the line".
• Endless downloads: Downloading a 3 MB MP3 song could take 10-15 minutes. A high-quality image, several minutes. And if someone picked up the phone, you lost everything!
• World record: Japanese scientists achieved a speed of 319 Terabits per second (319,000 Gbps) in 2021 using experimental fiber optic.
• South Korea leads: South Korea has the fastest average internet speed in the world at 245 Mbps on average.
• WiFi vs Cable: An Ethernet cable connection can be 2 to 10 times faster and more stable than WiFi.
• Distance matters: Every 100 meters of distance from the WiFi router can reduce speed by up to 50%.
• Internet in space: SpaceX's Starlink offers satellite internet at 150 Mbps in remote areas, revolutionizing global connectivity.