Scientist working at the UK University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) have started a new £10m (11.8m Euros) project (MODE-GAP), which will be funded under the EU 7th Framework Programme, to prevent future internet gridlock by enhancing the capacity of existing broadband ISP networks and infrastructure (e.g. fibre optic cable).

The problems with fibre optic cable capacity are now becoming better understood, particularly after the OCR warned of an impending "capacity crunch" (here) during October 2010. This followed lab tests, which showed that fibre optic cable was not completely future proof and would reach its limits sooner than expected.

The MODE-GAP project therefore aims to develop transmission technologies based on specialist long-haul transmission fibres, and associated enabling technologies such as novel rare-earth doped optical amplifiers, transmitter and receiver components and data processing techniques to increase the capacity of broadband networks.


As it happens, ISPreview.co.uk was recently talking exclusively with Professor Richardson about this very problem and we were able to gleam some additional insights.


It's important to stress that the problem described above concerns primary/core infrastructure, such as undersea cables between countries and or more localised national infrastructure, and is not such a crucial issue for direct consumer connectivity (i.e. between telephone exchanges and homes).

Those cables have the same problems as undersea infrastructure but a consumer isn't likely to NEED transatlantic levels of broadband capacity for a long time, with the possible exception of prolific P2P downloader's :cheese: .

Led by the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, this collaborative project also brings together the expertise of leading industrial and academic organisations across Europe: Phoenix Photonics Ltd, ESPCI ParisTech, OFS Fitel Denmark APS, the COBRA Institute at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eblana Photonics Ltd, Nokia Siemens Networks GMBH & Co. KG and the Tyndall National Institute of University College Cork.