Users of Google Chrome on both the desktop and mobile should see a speed improvement soon when it comes to loading web pages. A Google engineer confirms that a new type of data compression is ready to ship, with the next release of Chrome set to be the first browser with the new technology baked in.

The improved compression engine, dubbed Brotli, is said to be up to 26 times faster than the current solution, Zopfli.

If there is one thing that could always stand to be a little faster, it’s the Internet. Even with lightning-quick fiber pipes at home and fast 4G connections on our smartphones, there is always a little room for some creative coding to be done to make the relatively simple task of loading a web page even faster. Google is arguably best placed to kick the quest for faster load times into high gear, and it’s doing just that with Brotli.

Google web performance engineer Ilya Grigorik says the new compression is ready for prime time after being announced last September. Google points out that the new compression will not only improve load times, but also decrease the amount of data mobile users churn through — while also improving the battery life of mobile devices.

Google has worked to reduce the amount of data Chrome uses in the past, and shows no sign of ending that work.

While Google’s Chrome will be the first browser to take advantage of Brotli, Mozilla’s Firefox will also get in on the action (although it remains unknown exactly when Firefox fans should expect the upgrade).

Chrome users should expect to reap the benefits afforded by Brotli within coming weeks.

• ViaGizmodo