Leading researchers and engineers in the optics communication industry have gathered at the OFC Conference in Anaheim, California, the largest conference for optics communications, from March 20 through 24. One of the widely talked about topics include the threat of a possible 'capacity crunch'.
As 'capacity crunch' is becoming an imminent issue with increasing demand for web-based and mobile devices, cables and optic fibers that transfer data will reach a limit but 'light' could be the answer to future's problem.
In 2015, global mobile data traffic grew by 74% and 563 million mobile devices and connections were added, according to a recent report from Cisco. Some researchers say the current growth in data traffic could result in capacity issues and energy consumption leading to higher internet and mobile phone bills.
Datacenters, large networks of computer servers that transport data, are facing a potential dilemma of keeping up with consumer demand for data to run their devices like smartphones and tablets.
One solution to prevent a capacity crunch, some scientists say, is to transition from electricity to light in order to transfer data.
