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What is Fiber Optic Internet – Overview
Fiber optic internet is a broadband connection that offers a high-speed (940 megabytes per second) network with a low delay. The fiber optic technology uses fiber optic cable, which can transport data at speeds up to 70% of the speed of light.
What is Fiber Optic?
Fiber optics is the science of transmitting images, data, and voice through thin and transparent fibers by a passage of light. Fiber optic technology has essentially replaced copper wire in long-distance telephone lines in the telecommunications industry. Currently, it is used to connect computers in local area networks.
Experts can use fiber optics through fiberscopes to inspect and examine the internal parts of the human body. This process is also called endoscopy. You can also use fiber optics to study the interiors of manufactured structural products.
Fiber optic cables are more effective for high-performance and long-distance data networking than copper cables due to their transmit speed and bandwidth. Moreover, fiber-optic cables are less vulnerable to extreme weather than other cable types, which reduces disruptions.
Requirements for Fiber Optic Internet?
The technology used in Fiber optic internet is much different from DSL technology or cable technology.
Fiber optic cables contain thin glass pieces to send and receive signals smoothly. These pieces of glass can carry beams of light to transmit all data.
Fiber optic internet services will not work with regular internet pieces of equipment. You may need fiber-compatible modems, new cables, and routers for your fiber optic internet.
What is Fiber Optic Internet – Benefits to using Fiber Optic Internet
What Are the Benefits of Fiber Optic Internet?
There are multiple benefits to using Fiber Optic Internet –
1. High Speed
Fiber optic internet may link people over several continents and geographic areas. It can give you high-speed internet and connect your house and all devices.
Most of their plans offer 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) of internet speed. With this speed, all your friends can use the internet connection at your house without any trouble.
2. Distance
The signal transmitted by old copper lines degrades as one moves further from the central office.
Fiber optic cables do not have copper weirs in them. These cables were first used for long-distance networks. Specific fiber connections can even transmit for up to 25 miles.
3. Security
Fiber optic is one of the most secure internet connections available in the country. One can intercept copper cables to pick up the transmitted signals by connecting taps to the cable. Connecting taps to fiber optic cables to block the signal is difficult, though.
Even if the cables are compromised, it is easy to identify the condition because they radiate light while transmitting any signals.
4. Reliability
Copper cable-based internet can be affected by temperature and weather changes. High humidity or moisture can affect the copper cables as well. A copper cable that carries electric current but is damaged or old may catch fire.
The potential for electronic or radio signal interference is another element that makes copper cables unreliable. The telephone company controls copper lines, and its crew members can access the lines and mix up the wires while handling them.
Fiber optic cables are independent and resistive of radio frequency interference. Any changes in weather or temperature do not impact the fiber cables.
5. Cost
Through time, the price of fiber cable has dropped dramatically compared to other alternatives. If you require a larger bandwidth or need to run systems that rely on network responsiveness, fiber optic is also less expensive than the cost of phone cable or TV.
Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Internet
The only disadvantage of fiber optic internet is its availability. Installing enough fiber-optic cables to connect entire cities and regions is very challenging.
Due to fierce competition and numerous other barriers, expanding the reach of fiber optic internet is difficult.
The Federal Communications Commission estimates that about 45% of US households in urban areas use fiber internet.
Popular Fiber Internet Providers
Here are a few examples of popular fiber internet providers –
1. AT & T
AT&T is one of the best network companies available in the US. They have multiple network service options that have higher coverage and lower latency.
Their primary focus is to deliver their customers 5G mmWave at an affordable price. With AT&T, you can also receive benefits like pick up and delivery on the same day, flexible return, and free delivery.
2. CenturyLink
CenturyLink is a part of Lumen Technologies and offers high-speed internet, phone, fiber, voice, and TV services. They have several plans for both residential and business customers.
An advanced wireless modem with managed network features supports all of your online activities through their WiFi network.
3. Frontier FiberOptic
Frontier FiberOptic delivers its internet connection by using ultra-thin fiber optic wires covered in a cable. Their plans offer upload or download speeds up to 5000 Mbps for their customers. You can choose your plan depending on the number of users and devices at your house.
Frontier Fiber provides its services across 17 states in the US and is expanding its network day by day.
4. Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios offers super fast and uncomplicated 5G wireless network services in specific areas of the US. To enjoy their high-speed internet connection, all you have to do is plug in and play. There are no tangled wires or challenging contracts in your way.
The Verizon Fios network lets you download an entire movie in a few minutes. Also, it might enhance the quality of your gaming.
5. Google Fiber
Google Fiber Internet offers a steady, strong, and 99.9% reliable customer connection. Their standard plans include free installation and 24/7 customer support without annual contracts or data caps.
Their 1 Gig plan offers 1 gigabit download and uploads speed up to 1 gigabit. Their 2 Gig plan offers upload and download speeds up to 1 gigabit and 2 gigabits, respectively. There are numerous other plans, though, that you can pick from.
Conclusion
You can get high-speed internet with Fiber Optic Internet for a reasonable price and without any hassles. Fiber optic cables offer the fastest and most reliable connection for long-distance data networking.
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