Lasers enable satellite internet backbone, might remove need for deep-sea cables
Current fiber optic cables transmit signals at 2/3rds the speed of light.  Modeling has shown that starlink's laser backbone would allow it to beat deep-sea cables in some situations.  This article estimates a NYSE -> FTSE reduction from 76ms to 43ms.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there is a HFT bidding war going on.<p><a href="https://archmeregreenarch.org/1456/news/starlink-and-the-rise-of-a-new-space-internet/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://archmeregreenarch.org/1456/news/starlink-and-the-ris...</a><p>There is a newer version of fiber optic cable that uses a hollow core.  Testing has shown it transmits signals at nearly the speed of light.  It is very difficult to produce at scale and will require a generational shift to deploy.<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19910-7" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19910-7</a>