Download Speeds: Limiting Factors and Mass Production

  • Thread starter Thread starter NetMage
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors limiting download speeds and bandwidth, particularly in the context of advancements in technology and potential mass production of high-speed internet. Participants explore theoretical speeds achieved in labs, practical limitations faced by ISPs, and the implications of future technologies like quantum computing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that while certain labs have achieved speeds of 14 Terabits per second, the practical limitations for mass production and distribution remain unclear.
  • One viewpoint suggests that the primary limiting factor is economic, as ISPs may not find it profitable to offer extremely high speeds to consumers.
  • Another participant questions the utility of such high speeds given current hardware limitations, such as hard drive write speeds and the bandwidth needs of typical applications.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of Moore's Law, with some arguing that it is no longer applicable to processing power due to heat dissipation issues, while others contend that effective processing power continues to increase through multi-core designs.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the feasibility of mass-producing 10 Terabit per second speeds, citing the astronomical costs of necessary equipment.
  • Concerns are raised about the efficiency of current internet infrastructure and the desire for faster download and upload times for everyday applications like video game patches.
  • One participant mentions the Internet2 project as an example of high-speed networking in research environments, suggesting that certain specialized applications could benefit from higher bandwidth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and practicality of achieving high download speeds, with no consensus reached on the limiting factors or the future of internet speeds. Disagreements exist regarding the implications of Moore's Law and the actual utility of high bandwidth in consumer applications.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the economic viability of high-speed internet offerings, the current capabilities of consumer hardware, and the unresolved nature of technological advancements in quantum computing and fiber optics.

  • #31
Will we be able to clog 1000Tb/s tubes?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #32
Well, I'm enjoying all the posts on here so far and I am learning quite a bit. I like to look at hypothetical situations so that I can understand what is possible, but at the same to I want to look at practical situations because I live in an area that gets decent internet...like 1MB/s download speeds on a pretty good day, however it disconnects quite often. I am trying to find a way to get my internet to get maybe 5 MB/s or at least better than what I am getting now, while keeping my ping around 100ms or so. Ideas?
 
  • #33
Say, I piece together several hard drives to give myself more bandwidth, how would I connect it through my ISP, or would I even be able to do that. My ISP is a wireless tower that gives about 1MB/s downloads or they say more, but I've never experienced it. N then is there any other way to increase speed of the net? Or am I strictly going to be stuck with whatever ISP is available to me. Because its either satellite or this wireless network, which is much better than satellite for gaming etc.
 
  • #34
Simply adding hard drives doesn't give you extra bandwidth.

You can only get what the ISP gives you. If their maximum is 1mb/s, then there is nothing you personally can do to improve that.
 
  • #35
Hm, so there really is no good solution to my problem? :( lol
 
  • #36
Buy more internet...
 
  • #37
My ISP is a small small company, I don't think they offer bigger bandwidths than what we get already.
 
  • #38
I could be wrong though...
 
  • #39
Hm, could someone break down the cost estimation for each part of starting a high speed internet service? What is so costly about doing this? What makes increasing bandwidths more expensive? What all would I need as far as the components to supply 1 home with a wireless broadband at maybe 8 Mbps or so??
 
  • #40
Netmage, unless you are rather wealthy, it isn't going to happen.

The equipment alone will set you back quite a bit.

I don't know why you're so hell bent on having your own internet service. If you can't get it cheaply from a local service, I can guarantee you that it can't be done cheaply by yourself.
 

Similar threads

Who Limits My Internet Speed, and How Do They Do It?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Limiting factor in design of small gas turbine w/ LOW self sustain speed
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Graduate Landau's Maximum Mass Limit Derivation in Shapiro & Teukolsky (1983)
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Graduate Can Negative Mass at near Speed of Light go Back in Time?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Is the Near Integer Muon to Electron Mass Ratio a Coincidence or Significant?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Electrical A speed limiter for a Universal Motor in an old Lionel Train
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
8K
Undergrad Speed of light not a legitamate factor in relation to mass
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Graduate Having trouble believing light is limiting.
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Graduate Questions of Absolute Light Speed & Mass by an Engineer
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Graduate Non-intuitive velocity change for object with changing mass
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K