Fiber internet is the latest buzz in many circles. Why are so many people talking about this offering? Speed and reliability are the first things to capture a person's attention. However, increased bandwidth is why they stay. Why is this bandwidth significant?
Bandwidth
Water flows from a fixture in the home, and the faucet determines the flow rate. Bandwidth is similar to this water flow, but the connection rather than the fixture determines it. A faucet can only allow so much water through at one time, and the faucet size determines this amount. Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over the Internet simultaneously, and the connection determines the amount. The greater the bandwidth, the more data can be transmitted over the connection in a second. High-speed broadband has more bandwidth than dial-up internet of the past. However, connections vary in speed and reliability, leading many people to consider switching over to fiber internet. This internet connection offers the fastest speeds and superb reliability.
Fiber Internet Bandwidth
When a person has fiber internet, the transferred data travels through glass cables via light pulses, allowing for lightning-fast speeds. Quality cables carry up to 60 terabits per second, while DSL copper coaxial cables, in contrast, only carry 40 gigabits per second. Speed is a major reason many people switch.
Single or Multi-Mode?
The type of fiber cable used to provide the internet connection also affects bandwidth. Single-mode connections transmit light at one frequency. They have a thinner core to prevent the light pulses from weakening or dispersing as they travel between locations. Multi-mode connections transmit light pulses using several frequencies. This setup allows for more flexibility, but light signals may disperse or overlap if they travel long distances. Single-mode connections offer more bandwidth because they don't have modal dispersion effects. The cables can carry more data over longer distances. Consumers should ask each provider which cables they use.
Maximum Distances
Fiber internet has no limitations other than where a provider has laid cables. A single cable can travel 124 miles, while a multi-mode fiber cable only travels ten miles. For this reason, single-mode cables are preferred.
Why Choose Fiber Internet?
A person might question whether they need fiber internet. Their connection works, so why make the switch? Consider the faucet in the home again. If multiple faucets are running simultaneously, there might be a decrease in water pressure in each faucet. The same happens with many internet connections when various devices are connected simultaneously. The internet speed for each device may be slow. This slowing is a sign of insufficient bandwidth. Moving to a fiber internet provider resolves countless issues. Users can count on their devices working as expected, even when multiple people use the same internet connection. The speed at which data is sent and received is lightning-fast, and upload and download speeds are the same. That isn't the case with other internet connection types.
People often worry about the high cost of this internet service, but it isn't as high as they think. Many people only pay $10 or $20 more monthly to get these benefits. Furthermore, fiber technology is less susceptible to outside interference. The cables remain underground, so weather and outside forces won't disrupt the signal. Fiber internet continues working even when the power goes out. Who doesn't love that?
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