No. 783: Downloading three movies in one second (September 30, 2013)

Technology:

What is terahertz?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will develop a technology to realize ultrahigh-speed communication of a smartphone. The technology allows a smartphone to transmit and receive videos and data 1,000 times faster than the existing technology. That is, it will be possible to download three two-hour movies in one second. The ministry will outsource research to semiconductor manufacturers in 2014 and put the new technology into practical use in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The new technology will employ the terahertz wave that has high frequencies and can transmit a large volume of electronic data. Because it is hard to generate terahertz waves and control the direction of travel, the technology to utilize terahertz waves is unpracticed at present. The new radio wave will be used for short distant communication including wireless LAN. The base station of wireless LAN will be set up near the sites of the Tokyo Olympics to provide a comfortable communication environment. Everyone will be able to see the ongoing competition with his smartphone in real time.  

Innovatrion by terahertz wave