What Is Fiber Optic Internet (And Do You Need It)?
What is Fiber Optic Internet?
The way we receive data and information directly impacts how we experience our daily lives. Family movie nights, important Zoom calls, 4K gaming with friends, and googling how to bake sourdough all require the internet. Fiber optic internet can get you that data and those experiences at incredibly high speeds with less lag and greater bandwidth.
How does Fiber Optic Internet Work?
Fiber optic cables are composed of up to one thousand, ultra-thin, glass strands that transmit data using pulses of light. These bundles of hair-like fibers can send large quantities of information from your ISP directly to your home. Unlike traditional copper cables that use electricity to send data, fiber optic technology delivers data using the speed of light.
Why Would I Want Fiber?
Speed
Internet at the speed of light. The light-based technology of fiber optics and the precision engineered strands of fiber have taken internet speeds to a new level. Due to its ability to transmit data using the speed of light, fiber can send larger quantities of information, at much higher speeds, than traditional copper cables. As technology improves, you can expect future fiber speeds to be nearly 10 times faster than current top tier speeds.
Symmetry
A fiber connection means symmetrical upload and download speeds. Download speeds are how quickly you browse and access the internet and uploads speeds are how quickly you can upload to the internet. If your download speed is up to 2 Gig, your download upload speed will also be up to 2 Gig.
Types of uploads:
- Hosting a livestream
- Uploading large files and videos
- Attending video conferences
Types of download activities:
- Streaming movies and music
- Sharing WiFi across multiple devices
- Installing and running apps or games
Symmetrical speeds are ideal for students, businesses, content creators, and gamers who are frequently working with large amounts of data and need a stable connection to upload and download files smoothly.
DSL vs Cable vs Fiber
When comparing DSL, cable, and fiber internet, the differences in speed and reliability are significant. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) uses existing phone lines to deliver internet, and while it's widely available, it's also the slowest of the three, typically offering speeds up to 100 Mbps. Cable internet is faster and more reliable than DSL, using coaxial cable lines (the same ones used for cable TV) to provide speeds that can reach up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). However, cable internet speeds can fluctuate during peak usage times because users in the same area share bandwidth.
Fiber internet, on the other hand, stands out for its exceptional speed and reliability. It uses fiber-optic cables, which can support speeds up to 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) or even higher, making it miles ahead of both DSL and cable. For example, downloading a standard HD movie (about 5 GB in size) can take less than a minute on a fiber connection, compared to roughly 10 minutes with cable, and over an hour with DSL. Similarly, uploading a 200 MB video—a standard size for social media—can be nearly instantaneous with fiber, take a few seconds with cable, and extend to a minute or more with DSL. The stark contrast in performance underscores why fiber is the superior choice for heavy internet users, businesses, and anyone looking for high-speed, symmetrical internet access for both uploads and downloads.
Fiber Internet Availability and Coverage in the US
Despite being the fastest home internet option available, the rollout of fiber internet across the United States has been uneven due to the high costs associated with installing fiber directly to homes. Fiber-optic infrastructure requires significant investment not only in the fiber cables themselves but also in the labor to install them, which often involves digging up streets and laying new conduits.
Consequently, fiber internet has been predominantly available in urban and some suburban areas where the potential customer base can justify the investment costs. However, this leaves many rural areas behind, where the density of potential customers is low, making the cost per household for fiber installation prohibitively expensive. Although the availability of fiber internet is steadily increasing.
Different Types of Fiber Internet Connections
Fiber internet is implemented through various configurations, each affecting its efficiency and end-user experience. The three primary types are:
- Fiber to the Home (FTTH): Also known as Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), this configuration provides the most direct connection, with fiber optic cables running straight to the individual buildings or homes. This direct line ensures the highest speed and quality of service but is the most resource-intensive in terms of installation.
- Fiber to the Curb (FTTC): This setup involves fiber cables running to a node or cabinet located near the home or building, usually within 300 meters. The remaining connection to individual premises is completed via coaxial cable or copper phone lines. While FTTC is less costly to deploy than FTTH, the final leg of the connection can affect the overall speed and reliability.
- Fiber to the Node (FTTN): Similar to FTTC, FTTN extends the fiber connection to a node in the vicinity of the neighborhood rather than to the curb or premises. The connection from the node to individual homes or buildings is made through existing copper lines. This method covers a wider area with fiber optics but offers lower speeds than FTTH or FTTC, as the signal degrades over copper lines.
Reliability
Not only is fiber fast and symmetrical, but it is also incredibly reliable compared to traditional copper cables. The unique engineering of a fiber optic cable means it is resistant to electromagnetic signals and radio interference resulting in a more secure signal.
Fiber optic cables can withstand between 100 and 200 pounds of pressure and can maintain signal strength when run over 25 miles. Copper lines can only withstand 20 pounds of pressure, losing signal strength after almost 300 feet. Copper lines are also more likely to be affected by extreme temperatures and inclement weather due to their electricity-based technology.
Conclusion: Do You Need Fiber Internet?
In conclusion, yes, if you're looking for unparalleled speed, reliability, and quality in your internet service, you need fiber. Fiber-optic internet from Blue Ridge stands out as a superior choice for internet users seeking the high-speed internet that is critical for today's intensive online activities. At Blue Ridge, we want to provide our customers with a future-proof service that will keep their lives up to speed.