The Internet Speed of the Future

by Amy Gretenstein

Cisco, the technology company that has helped provide the backbone and infrastructure for the Internet as we know it, announced today the next generation of router: CRS-3.

Cisco, which has large offices in RTP, is the maker of all sorts of Internet savvy technology such as VoIP phones and software, the Flip camera and all of those Linksys routers we use.

This router, which is touted to “forever change the Internet,” is three times faster than Cisco’s current “best” router with a capacity of 322 terabits per second, or 12 times faster than any of the competitors. Cisco brags that at this speed, the entire printed publications of the Library of Congress can be downloaded at around one second. Yes, I said one second.

Cisco goes on to say that the entire population of China (~1.3 billion people) could simultaneously video chat and every single movie ever made could be downloaded in just around four minutes.

All of this sounds fantastic, and I hope that Cisco can really live up to the hype. With more and more music, media, video, VoIP, games and apps available, it really is about time the Internet was as fast as my impatience is when I am trying to watch How I Met Your Mother.

Cisco’s PR campaign has been fierce with video chats, press releases and tons of media coverage on its announcement. Now it’s just important for Cisco to follow through on its promise including meeting all of its deadlines. I guess, only time will tell.

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