A South African physicist is helping pioneer internet technology that could be thousands of times faster and far more secure than current systems. Andrew Forbes, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, is leading research into photon-based communication, where light is used to transmit data. He explained that a single photon can carry secure information, forming the basis of a future high-speed, light-driven internet.
Photo: Andrew Forbes | Creator: Mariki Uitenweerde Copyright: EYEscape 2015
According to Forbes, current systems use one pattern of light to send data, but new methods allow millions of patterns to operate simultaneously within the same space. Each pattern acts as its own channel, dramatically increasing capacity and speed. “We could, in the same fibre or the same free space link or the same Wi-Fi system, have thousands or millions of times the speed we have today,” he said. Early demonstrations of this technology, including long-distance tests between South Africa and China, show that real-world application is already underway.
The technology also introduces quantum encryption, which offers a major leap in cybersecurity. Unlike traditional encryption, quantum systems cannot be copied or intercepted without detection, as any interference changes the state of the photon and alerts both sender and receiver. The work is being supported by the South African Quantum Technology Initiative, with the aim of using existing infrastructure to roll out practical applications and position South Africa as a leader in quantum technology.