Fiber Optic Internet Connections

You may have heard about how swift and efficient fiber-optic internet is, but do you know what that really means? In this article, you’ll get to understand some of the top advantages of fiber over other types of internet connections. But first, you may need to know what optic-fiber internet is all about.  

What Is Fiber-Optic Internet? 

Fiber-optic internet is ordinarily referred to as fiber. It’s a broadband connection with the capacity to transmit internet data at about 940 megabits per second (Mbps). This internet technology uses a fiber-optic cable, believed to transmit information with a speed of almost 70% that of light. 

Until recently, the home internet choice was cable connection or the digital subscriber line (DSL). Although it’s sometimes fast, the cable can be frustrating during peak periods when internet use increases. 

How Does Fiber-Optic Internet Work? 

Fiber-optic internet works by splitting files into packets of zeroes and ones and transmitting them in the form of a light signal. A laser beams this data through a plastic or glass tube thinner than a strand of hair. The fiber-optic cable is designed to keep the light signal inside the tube for up to 60 miles. When it reaches the other end, an internet modem decodes the light into a readable form. 

Three Types Of Fiber-Optic Cable Internet 

There’re three main types of fiber-optic internet:  

  • Fiber To The Premises (FTTP): This could be the most reliable fiber-optic connection there is. FTTP is designed to deliver the fiber directly to your home. 
  • Fiber To The Curb (FTTC): In this type of connection, optical fiber is delivered to a utility pole that may be outside your home. From the pole, the internet is transmitted through a coaxial cable into your house. 
  • Fiber To The Node (FTTN): In this type of connection, fiber optics could be about a mile away from your property. Metal wiring is then used to transmit the internet from the node to your premises. This makes FTTN the slowest of the three fiber-optic internet connections.

For more information on these options, you can check out platforms like OptiComm, and many others like them.

Now that you know a thing or two about fiber-optic internet, it’s time for you to understand why it’s so much better than cable and DSL. 

Advantages Of Fiber-Optic Internet 

The advantages of fiber-optic internet include the following: 

1. It Is Considerably Fast 

Fiber-optic internet is believed to have a speed that could go up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). This could be 10 to 20 times faster than the typical 50 to 100 Mbps offered by most copper cables or DSL. 

For a comparison between fiber-optic and cable internet speed, you could use the example below: 

  • Fiber-optic internet speed is about 1 Gbps and may take about 40 seconds to download a movie. 
  • The cable internet speed is about 100 Mbps, and it takes about 7 minutes to download the same movie. 
  • DSL speed is about 25 Mbps and takes about 30 minutes. 
  • 4G LTE speed is approximately 35 Mbps and takes about 25 minutes. 

2. It Is Reliable 

Ever had a video freeze with those annoying blocky pixilated images when you’re streaming? This is generally caused by your slow internet connection that can get overloaded during peak hours if it’s cable. You’d have no such interruptions, however, if you were to use fiber-optical internet. 

Fiber-optic internet has enough speed and consistency to stream uninterrupted videos. It can manage many users and loads of data at consistently high speeds. Also, fiber-optic internet doesn’t rely on electric power. It can still send signals even if there’s a power outage. 

3. It Does Not Throttle

Have you ever noticed how most things seem to slow right down during peak hours? This is usually because of overloads due to the increased number of users. Internet service is not spared. To deal with the overload problem, your internet service provider may decide to lower your cable speed to prevent service outages. This is called throttling.

Fiber-optic internet, however, doesn’t require throttling because it almost never experiences overloads. Regardless of multiple users, its speed is consistent even during peak periods. 

4. It Has Consistent Download And Upload Speed 

If you’ve ever experienced faster download speeds than upload speeds, you’re not alone. Based on internet user habits, most service providers give extra bandwidth to downloads than uploads. 

With fiber-optic internet speed, you can rest assured there’s no disparity in your upload and download speed. This is because there’s no risk of overloading the system. If, unlike most people, you’re more into uploading than downloading, you can share files with as much ease as you can receive them. 

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5. It Has Better Video Quality 

If you’re into video streaming, you’ll be pleased to note that fiber-optic internet won’t let you down. In this era of 4K TV and high-definition (HD) videos, you’d need fast and reliable internet to steam without too much interruption. 

HD videos typically require speeds more than the 100 Mbps or so usually supplied by cable internet. For decent viewing quality, you’d need at least 500 Mbps, which is even below the optimal output for fiber-optic internet.  

6. It Is Great For Gaming 

If you’re into gaming, then fiber-optic internet is best for you. Because a minor internet interruption could cost you a life in your favorite game, you’re better off using a solid and reliable internet connection like fiber. Internet service providers like OCCOM and their contemporaries may offer gamers options to select the best speeds for their needs. 

7. It Is Safe

If you’re one of those people who fear the so-called risk of cancer due to technological advancements like 5G, then you’ll appreciate fiber-optic internet. Fiber transmissions are safely confined in their cables, so you don’t have to worry about the possibility that they’ll be harmful to your health. 

Conclusion 

It goes without saying that fiber-optic internet can bring the world to your fingertips. With the numerous benefits it provides, there’s no reason not to try it, if you haven’t already done so.

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