Georges wrotei also wonder what is the ultimate speed we can ever reach in terms of internet speed. because soon enough, the entire communication system we have will be outdated. and speeds will not be sufficient to fit our needs.
As far as i know, their is nothing faster than light !
We already use light as a means of communication with fiber optics.
But the limit now is with the semiconductors and the equipment found at each end.
You know of course that data travels in binary as zero's and one's.
So if i want to send the number 7 im going to send 0111 in a 4bit BCD notation.
Thats off-on-on-on if the binary was converted to light beams.
on the transmitting end the limit is the "transistor" that has to actually switch the light source on and off at blistering speed. On the receiving end is the "photo transistor" that has to detect when light is present or not on that certain line. their is a limit to how much the transistor can do the switching. Research in the semiconductor field is very rapid, and i dont think that we will face any problem in the future.
The good thing about using fiber optics is that you dont need to change the fiber-optic cable to get better speed.
you only change the equipment on both ends to something more capable ;)