Fiber-Optic Speeds
How fast is Fiber-Optic Internet?
Fiber-optic internet is celebrated for its high speeds, typically reaching up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps), far exceeding cable and DSL options. To give context, high-speed internet is defined as speeds of 25 Mbps or more. Upgrading from 25 Mbps to a 1 Gbps fiber connection means you’ll experience speeds 40 times faster. This enables quick downloads of HD movies, music, and games in just seconds, while also allowing multiple devices to connect without slowing down. Fiber-optic internet offers generous bandwidth, making it perfect for heavy users.
At 1,000 Mbps (1 GBPS):
Online Gaming
- Play your favourite game online with zero lag
- Download a 30GB game on your computer in less than 5 minutes
Streaming Ready
- Download an entire HD movie in 34 seconds
- Load your favorite Netflix show in HD in 5 seconds
Browsing & Music
- Download a 4-minute song in 0.03 seconds
- Load your favorite YouTube video in 0.2 seconds
Extremely Fast Broadband
- A connection that’s 40 times faster than the definition of broadband
- Download speeds 50 times faster than the national average
Pros
- Offers faster speeds than most other connection types.
- Provides a highly reliable connection.
- No need to share bandwidth with neighbors.
- Ensures a secure connection.
- Delivers fast download and upload speeds.
- Rapidly expanding coverage across the nation.
- Highly durable and resilient infrastructure.
Cons
- Tends to be more expensive.
- Limited availability in some areas.
- Requires the installation of new infrastructure.
- Provides more speed than most users typically require.
Overview of Fiber-Optic Technology
Fiber-optic internet uses very thin strands of glass or plastic, about the size of a human hair, to transmit data. These strands serve as pathways for light bursts that carry information, enabling rapid transmission of downloads, emails, and online gaming.
The term “at the speed of light” underscores the impressive speed of fiber-optic technology, which far surpasses other internet types that rely on electrical signals, resulting in slower data transfer
Fiber-Optic Connection Reliability
Fiber-optic internet offers greater reliability than other high-speed options for several reasons. Despite being made of thin glass strands, fiber cables are durable and can handle up to 200 pounds of pressure, while copper lines can only manage 25 pounds. This durability means fiber cables can withstand routine maintenance without damage.
In contrast, copper cables are easily affected by weather, pressure, temperature changes, and moisture, leading to potential service disruptions, such as outages during heavy rain. Fiber cables also have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance, while copper can wear out and pose fire hazards due to electrical currents. Although fiber internet may have a higher initial cost, its long-term reliability and value make it a worthwhile investment.
WEATHER RESISTANT
WEATHER RESISTANT
WEATHER RESISTANT
WEATHER RESISTANT
WEATHER RESISTANT
WEATHER RESISTANT
What's the Installation Process for Fiber-Optic Internet?
If you've decided that fiber is the right internet connection for you and it's available in your area, you'll need to go through the installation process. This process will vary depending on your location and provider. Because fiber is wired straight to your home or a nearby node, you may need new lines installed to your house. This might sound like a hassle at first, but not to worry! Your internet provider's trained professionals will make this process as painless as possible. The new cables will be buried underground or strung across telephone poles by a technician.
Aerial installations along telephone lines can typically be done in a single day, while underground installation might take a bit longer. The location of these lines will depend on the provider. If a fiber-optic connection has been set up by a past resident, you won't need new lines. After the fiber cables have been established, the technician will install a modem to finish setting up your fiber optic internet. Then voilà, your high-speed internet connection is ready to go.
List of Fiber Optic Internet Providers
The number of fiber internet providers in the country is growing as its availability spreads. Currently, the largest fiber provider is Frontier reaches about 3% of the nation. These fiber optic internet plans provide download speeds up to 500 Mbps. Give us your zipcode by texting or calling us here 888-533-4765. and see which fiber providers are available in your area!
Fiber vs Cable Internet
So far, fiber optic internet sounds pretty great, right? Let’s see how it holds up against other types of internet. We’ll use a fiber optic vs. cable internet comparison. As far as speed goes, fiber is the faster choice—hands down. Fiber internet also lets you send data faster over farther distances than cable. Cable still offers a high-speed connection with plans that can reach download speeds up to 300 Mbps depending on the provider. This is plenty of speed for larger households that are connecting multiple devices to the internet at once. If you’re getting a 1000 Mbps fiber optic internet plan, chances are you won’t need that much speed. Cable plans are also typically less expensive than fiber packages, so if you’re on a budget, cable may be a better option for you. However, fiber internet is much more reliable than cable.
Remember those copper cables we talked about that can be damaged easily? Cable internet cables are made of copper. This means that you’ll probably experience some outages from time to time. After sustaining some wear and tear, copper cables can even become a fire hazard. These cables have to be replaced and repaired more often than fiber cables do because the plastic or glass is less susceptible to damage. So even though fiber is the more expensive choice, it has higher long-term value than cable because it is more reliable and requires less maintenance over the years.
With a cable connection, you share bandwidth speed with your neighbors whether you want to or not. This means that when lots of people are using cable at one time, your internet is going to slow down. During peak hours with high internet traffic, you’ll probably experience some lagging and buffering. Because fiber optic internet is wired straight to your house, you won’t have to share your bandwidth with the neighbors. No matter what time of day it is or how many people on your street are using the internet, you’ll still get the same speed.
Now that we’ve given you the rundown, let’s consider what type of internet is going to be available in your area. Cable internet is widely available, reaching nearly 90% of the nation. Chances are you’ll be able to find a cable provider in your area. As for fiber, it is only available to about 25% of the country. On the bright side, fiber optic internet is expanding rapidly. If it’s not available to you now, it might be soon! Type in your zipcode at the top of the page to see what types of internet are available to you.
| Fiber | Cable | |
|---|---|---|
Download Speed Range | 5 Mbps to 8000 Mbps | 5 Mbps to 3000 Mbps |
Typical Price Range | $15 to $300 Per Month | $10 to $300 Per Month |
Nationwide Availability | 43% Coverage | 88% Coverage |
Typical Bandwidth | 15 GB to Unlimited | 1 GB to Unlimited |