The average internet user spends more than six hours a day online. With so much time spent in the digital world, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. Fiber internet is changing the game with its unparalleled speed and stability. But what is fiber internet exactly? Take a deep dive into all things fiber optic and get answers to the most commonly asked fiber internet questions.
What is fiber internet?
Fiber internet (also called fiber optic internet) is a type of high-speed internet that uses fiber optic cables to transmit data. Unlike the traditional copper cables used in cable internet, fiber optic cables are made with a super thin strand of glass or plastic about the size of a human hair. This powerful cable uses light to carry data, which means fiber internet truly travels at the speed of light.
Fiber optic cables were invented specifically for ultra-high-speed telecommunications and data transfer. Copper cables, on the other hand, were created for telephone communication. With many copper cable networks constructed roughly 50 years ago, those networks are getting old. Copper cables are also prone to rusting, increasing the likelihood of latency and glitching while you’re online.
How fast is fiber internet?
Fiber internet speed currently ranges from 1 to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). This is about 10 to 20 times faster than the typical cable speed of 50 to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Though you may see options for a 10 Gbps fiber internet connection, even a household with multiple family members using many devices at the same time probably won’t ever need one that powerful.
What’s the difference between fiber internet and Wi-Fi?
Fiber internet is the physical infrastructure that brings the internet to your home or business. Wi-Fi is a separate technology that distributes that internet connection throughout your space.
Wi-Fi uses radio waves to connect devices to a local network most often through a router. These radio waves deliver packets of data over a frequency of 2.4 and 5 gigahertz. The router acts as an access point for your devices such as a laptop, tablet, cell phone, or smart TV. Fiber internet and Wi-Fi technology work together to give you fast, wireless internet.
What are download speeds and upload speeds?
Download speed tracks how quickly data can be pulled from the internet to your laptop, phone, or other device. Upload speed is how fast data can be sent from your device back to the internet. One of the best aspects of fiber internet is that download speed and upload speed are usually symmetrical, meaning it takes the same amount of time to download something as it does to upload it. This can make a huge difference when it comes to online gaming, uploading big files, or video conferencing.
Does fiber internet increase my home value?
Yes! Fiber internet can make your home more valuable. Research conducted in 2023 by the Fiber Broadband Association shows that a 3-5% real estate premium exists for single-family homes equipped with fiber internet. High-quality broadband is also listed as the second most important for home and apartment amenities. Demand for fiber internet will keep growing as the need for speed and stability increases.
How long does it take to install fiber internet in a new community?
Like all good things, fiber internet installation takes time and effort to get up and running. Bringing fiber internet to a new community involves laying a fiber optic cable underground. This cable runs from a central point to various nodes throughout a neighborhood or even an entire city.
Typically, fiber internet is laid in the property’s utility easement, often referred to as a right-of-way, which is a piece of land utilized for infrastructure-related purposes. This area is often found in front of the home along the street or even in between homes along the property line.
During the construction phase, fiber internet installers follow the locates provided by local officials to make sure existing public utilities (like cable wires, gas lines, utility pipes, or water lines) are not disrupted during installation.
It generally takes a few months to complete fiber internet installation in a new neighborhood. During the process, seed and straw can be temporarily laid across the installation site to limit the distribution of dirt and mud. Once installation is finished, the fiber internet company should restore the affected area back to its pre-installation condition or better.
How can I find fiber internet near me?
Fiber internet is currently available in about 40% of U.S. households—a percentage that is increasing every day. The best way to find out if you have access to fiber internet is to search online for fiber internet near you or to look up your zip code on the website of your preferred fiber internet provider. Find out if Ripple Fiber is in or coming soon to your neighborhood visiting our coverage map and entering your address.
The bottom line
Not all internet is created equal. Transmitting data at the speed of light, fiber internet is transforming the way we live our lives online. With its unmatched speed, stability, and sustainability, it is paving the way for a future where buffering and slow connections are a thing of the past. Make the switch to Ripple Fiber today and start making the connections that matter.