Telstra has been flexing its next generation muscles in a trial which could speed up the telco's existing network infrastructure between capital cities.

With the help of Nortel, Telstra has successfully completed trials of its next generation 100 Gigabit per second (Gbps) and 40Gbps transmission over a world-record fibre-optic link length between Adelaide and Sydney.

The 100Gbps trial used a continuous 2038 kilometre fibre-optic, while the 40Gbps trial took place over 3370 kilometres during a two-week period from July 3 to 17.

Both trials used Nortel’s Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical technology to enable unregenerated transmission on Telstra’s existing fibre-optic infrastructure.

Telstra Networks & Services group managing director, Michael Rocca, said the new technology shows that the telco’s network is capable of transporting larger amounts of network traffic without the need for major equipment and infrastructure upgrades.

"Carriers the world over are looking for the next generation of transmission technology because customer bandwidth needs are quickly surpassing current limits,” Rocca said. Telstra says the increase in online video quality and video conferencing are two of the main drivers of bandwidth demand.

According to Telstra, network traffic on national inter-capital routes has increased tenfold and it will consequently upgrade the Sydney to Melbourne transmission link from 10Gbps to 40Gbps to cope.