Scientists warn internet could collapse in 8 years

The demand for faster internet increases.

Scientists, telecom firms, leading physicists and engineers will gather later this month, at London's Royal Society, to discuss what can be done to prevent the internet from heading toward a "capacity crunch." According to scientists, the web could reach its maximum limit in eight years, as it fails to keep up with people's demands for faster data.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - With the new innovations of powerful computers, and the rise of streaming services and internet TV, the strain on our communications infrastructure is increasing. As the consumption rates continue, it is highly possible that all of Britain's power supply could be used up just by internet usage.

In 2005, the maximum speed for broadband internet was at 2 Megabits per second. A download speed of 100 mb per second is now available in many parts of the country. But according to experts, the cables and fiber optics that send information to tablets, smartphones, and laptops will reach their data limit in about eight years. Currently, engineers are able to keep up with the demand, as they have increased the internet speed to 50-fold, in the last 10 years.

According to Professor Andrew Ellis of Aston University in Birmingham, who co-organized the meeting at London's Royal Society, internet companies could actually put up additional cables, which means higher internet bills or a cap on internet usage. Ellis explained that it is getting more difficult to keep up with the demand for faster internet.

Ellis added that they are starting to reach the point in the research lab where they can no longer take more data from a single optical fiber. He says that the intensity of this matter is as strong as standing right under the sun.

The experts have stated that people could either put up with an unstable internet connection or they have to pay double for a stable one. Ellis suggested that if they come up with radical ideas, internet costs will surely increase.

Presently, as the demand rises, internet firms continue to send more data through a single optical fiber. The information is transformed into light, sent down the single fiber, and transformed again into information. But since the optical fibers have reached their physical capacity, they won't be able to transfer any more light.
Putting down a second line means using a huge amount of electricity to transfer data, and higher internet bills.

Scientists at BT claim they will be able to come up with a solution for the web crisis. They said they will work with leading universities on new research to ensure that the demand for internet in the near future will be met.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online