What is fiber internet?
(and what are the benefits?)

There are 5 main benefits of fiber internet including increased speeds, greater reliability, no throttling, excellent for gaming online, and supporting future technologies.

Do you want more reliable internet speeds and the ability for multiple people to use many devices all at once? You may have wondered, do I really need fiber internet? Are you unsure whether a fiber internet connection is right for your home?

Picking the wrong type of internet can result in frustratingly low speed and connection disruptions that take too much time to resolve. Fiber will likely solve many of your network and internet headaches.

We’re here to explain what fiber internet is, how fiber internet works, and the benefits of fiber internet.

We can help improve your home network and guide you toward getting the most out of your internet.

A Fiber internet connection is a type of broadband transmitting data through insulated fiber-optic cables. Comprised of thin strands of glass, it uses light pulses harnessing light speed. With the capacity to reach 1 Gig speeds and higher, fiber offers the fastest internet speeds available.

A traditional cable internet connection relies on a copper cable to transmit data, which can distort over long distances.

Fiber-optics relies on light versus electricity for data transmission, allowing stronger data signals to travel longer distances with reduced interference, minimizing the need for signal boosters.

As a result, fiber has a greater capacity to offer higher data speeds.

FTTH, also known as “pure fiber,” provides access to the entire length of fiber-optic cable connecting directly to a residence or business.  Users can expect faster symmetrical upload and download speeds, and it provides the most reliable connectivity.

Developed in the 1970s, the telecommunications industry used fiber-optic technology for its benefits over electrical copper cable transmissions.

Fiber can transmit more data over longer distances at faster speeds with no interference or crosstalk from other transmission signals, which can cause everything to slow down.  Consequently, it can provide a more reliable data solution.

In the late 1980s, fiber-optic cable was added underneath the ocean, connecting the United States and Europe.  Ultimately, it enabled the information technology revolution in the 1990s and supports the fast transmission of global data we currently access.

A fiber internet connection is much faster than a cable connection or a DSL connection.

The table below compares how long it takes to download a variety of items on each connection to illustrate exactly how much better fiber internet performs.

Pulses of light along the fiber-optical are transmitted from the service provider’s facility to the end-user’s location.

The fiber is connected to an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) which
receives these pulses and then converts them into electrical signals like Ethernet that normal equipment can use.

A traditional service provider could have this conversion some distance
away. This conversion from light to electrical happening so close to the end user is one of the main factors contributing to the speed and reliability of fiber-optic connections.

Fiber internet has significant benefits over cable and DSL access. Speed, reliability, and multi-device capacity are some of the main advantages of accessing fiber-optics.

Learn how fiber is superior in every area.

Most ISPs offer 1000 megabits per second (1 gig) based on their service offerings and access to fiber-optic infrastructure in particular regions.

Speeds of up to 1.2 Gig to 2 Gigs and higher are available in some areas.

Fiber-optic cable’s robust design makes it resistant to electromagnetic interference, temperature changes, and weather conditions, leading to fewer service interruptions.

Fiber is less susceptible to damage or breakage and has a longer lifespan.

With cable internet, your internet connection can slow down when traffic is at its peak.

Fiber internet can handle more users at substantially higher speeds than cable.

Fiber’s capacity to access the highest speeds and reliability make it a superior choice for gaming.

Related content: What internet speed do I need for gaming?

Fiber internet has room to grow to accommodate new technologies. We’ve really only begun to explore fiber’s full potential and take advantage of its available bandwidth. That means fiber can support whatever tomorrow’s tech visionaries throw at it.

• Limited Reach: Only a quarter of US residents have fiber internet, mainly in the larger cities. Many ISPs don’t have fiber service offerings or access to fiber-optic infrastructure networks.
• Slow growth rates: Fiber internet’s roll out to the rest of the United States has slowed. Many carriers have shifted their focus to 5G, which uses cell towers and eliminates the need for laying cable.
• High prices: Fiber internet prices are higher than cable or DSL. When fiber first became available, costs were prohibitive to many consumers due to its infrastructure rollout.

Now that you’re an expert on how fiber internet works and its benefits and disadvantages, you can decide whether it’s right for you.

If your home network requires multiple users and devices with the desire for video calls, heavy streaming, and gaming, shop for high speed internet.

You’ll need a fiber capable modem and router to access fiber-optic internet. You’ll want the correct router to gain the maximum fiber-optic speeds and to get the most out of your service.

WiFi routers serve two main functions for your fiber-optic internet.

Routers manage your network traffic through IP addresses and allow multiple devices to use the same internet connection.

Some of the factors that apply to your WiFi router considerations are:

When evaluating internet speed, consider the quantity and the usage of devices you typically have connected to the internet.

If you’re working remotely conducting video calls, streaming movies and TV shows, or if you have a lot of smart devices, you’ll need a router that can handle large amounts of bandwidth.

In addition to the number of laptops, tablets, or handheld devices typically used in your household, consider smart home devices and appliances like your refrigerator or doorbell camera connecting to the internet.

Do you want to prioritize how bandwidth is distributed throughout your network?

Consider a gaming router if you’re a gamer and want access to the best servers to optimize your gameplay.

If you’ve got a top-notch router and still have trouble getting solid connections for all your devices, explore Mesh WiFi.