Researchers from the EUREKA telecommunications cluster CELTIC-Plus project '100GET are working on how advancements in delivery are needed beyond laying more optic cables to meet increasing bandwidth demand. The team kept the focus on both data transfer and networking aspects, and discovered efficiencies that ensure bandwidth capacity for the Internet can be increased dramatically, Internet could be up to ten times as speedy.

Researchers from the EUREKA telecommunications cluster CELTIC-Plus project '100GET (100 Gigabits Ethernet)' was able to extend capacity from 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) past their initial target of 40GbE all the way to 100GbE. In conclusion, the team kept the focus on both data transfer and networking aspects, and discovered efficiencies that ensure bandwidth capacity for the Internet can be up to ten times as speedy. This platform, EUREKA, is a program for research and development (R&D)-performing entrepreneurs in Europe and is made up of 39 partners including the European Commission. Many leading European companies participate in EUREKA Clusters.

Traffic growth in Europe across the Internet's existing infrastructures is currently sitting at a rate of 40% annually, and as growth is so strong when new bandwidth becomes available it is used almost immediately. In addition, the explosion in data traffic over the last few years means that the demand for technology that can supply the necessary increased bandwidth from existing infrastructure is driven by capacity rather than price. This demand means that while the potential sales volumes are low, the price is high.

This type of research makes the possibility of the Internet simply stopping and causing widespread social and economic disruption highly unlikely. These research results come in light of the European Commission's Digital Agenda targets, but, according to the 100GET team, if these targets are to be met there will need to be an even greater take-up of Internet technologies in Europe than has already occurred.