The Korea Institute of Science and Technology said yesterday that it has developed an optical fiber made of plastic that can theoretically increase home Internet speed by 25 times. According to the Korea Times, the new plastic fiber can transmit data at up to 2.5 gigabits per second. The technology should prove to be very helpful in last mile connectivity, offering installers the ability bend fiber around tough corners in MDUs (multiple dwelling units).

The Institute isn't alone in developing such technology. Corning last month announced development of new, bendable fiber. Verizon, who made a big push into the MDU market this year, was first in line to trial the new technology. Japanese researchers have also developed similar technology, but the Koreans say their solution is a third as expensive and of superior quality.

"All the materials and applications were developed by local researchers. The communication solution is also designed to work well with South Korea's uniquely dense housing environment and its `fiber-to-the-home' infrastructure," the institute said in a release. Four companies and 10 universities cooperated on the project.