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> This microgravity-produced fiber has numerous applications, including trans-Atlantic telecommunications That didn't seem feasible - my first guess was that y
by LeifCarrotson 9y ago
> This microgravity-produced fiber has numerous applications, including trans-Atlantic telecommunications
That didn't seem feasible - my first guess was that you couldn't possibly use something that you need to bring to space to cross the Atlantic. My gut was that the math would put it somewhere above the economic output of the planet. But when I stopped guessing to actually do the math, that 5,000 km multiplied by $300/meter is 'just' $15B. Still just one fiber, and still a lot more than the $300M that a traditional cable costs, but it could be done.
- infogulch 9y agoSurely you'd get a discount if you're buying the product in multiples of a million units.
- simonh 9y agoI can’t find any reference to ZBLAN being used for long distance telecommunications, it’s seems like it’s both too expensive, and it’s exceptional properties (excellent infrared transmittance) aren’t particularly relevant to that application. Why particularly specify trans-Atlantic though? Looks like somebody in marketing getting a bit ahead of themselves.
- wrigby 9y agoI'm not up to speed on ZBLAN at all (had to google what it is just now), but if it can really do 0.05dB/km at 1550nm [1], then it seems like it's actually ideally suited for long distance telecom. This is like taking an off-the-shelf "80km" SFP, and turning it into an "800km" SFP. Am I missing something? 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBLAN#/media/File:Zblan_transmit.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBLAN#/media/File:Zblan_transm...
- clarkmoody 9y agoCosts will come down when manufacturing output increases, especially if there are competitors in the ... space.
- Wile_E_Quixote 9y agoI believe you mean 'just' $1.5B. Still a nice chunk of change, but order of magnitude less.