Using the internet is a daily occurrence for a large proportion
of the global population. So many things are online nowadays, from businesses
to banking, that the necessity for a reliable, speedy connection is a dominant
requirement in society. Yet, despite all the modern advances, this is not
always an option that is readily available. As with any technology, things are
always in development and the emergence of fiber optic innovations really
changed the connectivity game for the better. Here are the pros and cons of
fiber optic internet.
What is Fiber Optic Internet?
Fiber internet is a super fast, reliable broadband option. It
is not available everywhere, but the areas that do have access cater to
thousands of people over large distances without becoming overwhelmed. The key characteristic
is that the thin cable carries the data, and it is much thinner than a standard
internet cable. It is also filled with glass or plastic fibers through which
the data travels. This provides a faster conduit for data to beam through and
can commonly reach speeds of over 1GB per second, sometimes reaching up to
10GB. Though the fastest to be recorded in recent years was over 300TB.
Tips for Finding Reliable Providers
As with regular wi-fi, finding a provider can be a
challenge. It is impossible to ascertain who will provide reliable services and
who won't deliver on their promises. It is always better to seek out
transparent businesses that are not attempting to blind their customers with
technical jargon and swindle them into a contract they have little to no
knowledge about. The options naturally vary state by state, and even country by
county given the vast expanses some cables are expected to cover. The best
place to start is by searching online for nearby choices. For example, Missouri
has this St. Charles County Internet
The following tips are useful for sifting out the disappointing
companies:
1. Always check reviews! It is easy to spot a fake review, and a legitimate company will have happy customers to prove
their worth. Read as far back as you can handle.
2. Read through the business website. A reliable company is
more likely to have a comprehensive site that provides lots of details about
services, pricing, and other things on offer.
3. Engage with customer service platforms, as talking to a
company and seeing how you are treated is a good way to tell if you want to do
business with them.
The Pros of Fiber Optic Internet
Given the popularity and demand in the market, it is a safe
statement to say fiber optic internet has a lot of advantages for its
customers. These are explored in further detail below.
The Speed
The speed is one of the main attractions. Mainstream speeds are
currently capable of reaching beyond 10GB, which is exponentially faster than standard broadband connections. The benefits of this include
less to no lag while browsing or streaming, speedy download rates, and quick
data transfers. To put this into context, small businesses that operate solely
from home would find this the best type of internet to run their operations, as
there would be no delays and virtual meetings would run smoothly (at least from
the host's end).
Scaling Capacity
Scaling capacity is about the placement of fiber optic
cables. These lines are capable of being situated over pre-existing cables and
can carry connections further than ever before owing to the structural capacity
of the mechanism. Fiber optic reigns supreme in this area and has the clear
advantage over other types of providers out there. It also means these
companies will be able to grow bigger at a faster rate and continue to provide
services to a wider demographic the more they advance.
The Quality
Largely owing to the increase in speed, the quality of fiber
connections is undeniably better than other options out there. Glitching is a
thing of the past, as are buffering and pixelated movies. These types of cables
have strong resistance to external interference, such as electromagnetic
pressures which means they are less likely to fail or become faulty. Unlike
other connection options, fiber does not tend to get overwhelmed by large
numbers of users online at the same time. The network is shared, so during peak
times there is a natural dip in capacity but not really a noticeable one in the
grand scheme of things, and nothing compared to that of standard internet
users.
Virtually Secure
It is incredibly easy to become aware if someone is
attempting to breach a fiber optic network given the advanced security
features. Given that cyber security is a major concern, especially for businesses, networks have to
prove that they are secure. Fiber optic options are the clear choice in this
arena as they are too hard to hack or expose given the way they are built i.e.,
no signals to tap into.
The Cons of Fiber Optic Internet
Yet with all these amazing points, there are still some
downsides to be considered. These are explored in the cons section of this post
below.
There are Fewer Fiber Cables
This service, as discussed above, is not yet worldwide.
There are also fewer cables than traditional internet copper wires because one
fiber optic can do what ten alternative wires do in its sleep. So, when one
cable goes down, so do thousands of access points which affects a larger number
of homes and businesses in the area. They are also harder to repair and more
complicated, so the process may last for days.
Prone to Damage
Unfortunately, despite the advantages that the design of the
cable brings, it does leave them significantly more exposed to potential
damages. They are physically thin and fragile and one break leads to a complete
system shut down. While they are repairable, this is an inconvenience that
cannot be brushed off.
Expensive Installation
The long term costs yield significant savings, but the initial installation is not ever cheap. The service provided is an advanced
technology and therefore that comes with a higher price tag. The installation
is more intricate, needs a higher level of expertise, and is prone to costly
damages given the fragility of the cables. Providers have to ensure that this investment
will make a solid return, so the process is a drawn out one encompassing much
research and scoping out of the market.
The Risk of Fiber Fuse
Fiber fuse is a special phrase coined specifically for this
branch of connection. When it happens, it is catastrophic for data provider
companies because the damage is grandiose. If one cable is exposed to too much
light, or a faulty beam, all the surrounding cables can fall easily as well. The
dreaded fiber fuse curse has affected many a company over the time it has
become an established technology and causes major disruption and delays all
around.
Lack of Consumer Knowledge
Fiber optic is not brand new, but it is fairly recent to the
table. Therefore, even though everyone may be aware of what the internet is,
they may not have all the facts about this particular branch. A lack of
marketing or a gap in advertising and too much technical jargon leads to confusion
and skepticism from consumers. People are less likely to sign up for a service
that they know little about when there is a reliable option already in
circulation.
Not Universally Accesible
Finally, despite all the perks, not everyone has access to
this type of internet. Areas that are not able to sign up for this service are
sat twiddling their thumbs patiently waiting for it to arrive. Yet, it is not
always feasible for providers to set up everywhere and anywhere. There are a
lot of logistics involved and it has to be a cost-savvy endeavor to make it
worth their while. While it may be available everywhere in the future, rural
areas in particular are far away from the advantages in this sense. Inner
cities are the best option for fiber optic as things stand.
How It Differs from Standard Connections
This article has already established a few core differences
between the two types of internet being discussed. To summarize:
1. Fiber uses a different type of cabling structure to
provide data to businesses and homes alike.
2. These cables, unlike their copper counterparts, are
primarily comprised of glass or plastic fibers.
3. The speed provided is much faster than standard methods.
Speeds of terabytes compared to those of gigabytes are much more attractive.
4. More people can use the same fiber connection without
overwhelming the server than traditional cable.
Final Verdict
There are considerable arguments both for and against the use and installation of fiber optic internet. People want faster connections, as well as new innovations that make life easier, and this is definitely within the capability remit of fiber optic. However, there do seem to be some teething issues that are still to be rectified satisfactorily.
