If you have been out and about or have been online, you will have likely heard about fiber optic broadband, especially if you live in an area that has recently been identified by a representative of this type of internet service. Plus, you will have inevitably heard that having fiber optic broadband is better.
However, what does that mean? Better for who? Is it better for the providers because they get to add a few dollar signs to your internet bill? Or, is it better for people who need 24-hour access to the internet for work? If you are not one of these people, how can it be better for you?
Indeed, when it comes to choosing internet providers or even switching, you must be very careful. Most internet services will aim to lure you in with tactics and buzzwords, such as ‘better connection’ and ‘faster access,’ but does this mean that your internet bill will be higher? If so, by how much? There are lots of questions and a lot of confusion about why fiber optic options are said to be better.
Most people who have made the switch to fiber optic internet providers have been exceptionally happy with the outcome. Why? Because copper-based cable internet broadband was okay for most people, but when it failed to work, it really failed to work, and it was often reported to have intermittent internet signals. Not great if you are someone who needs that connection for homework or just regular work.
If you are looking to make the switch, why should you opt for fiber optic broadband? Here are some of the key advantages to consider.
It’s Super-Fast
Yes, buzzwords galore in that subheading. It’s super-fast.’ However, what does that mean?
Well, in simple terms, it means you won’t experience lag when browsing online, and you will be able to watch videos or stream them on services, like Amazon Prime or Netflix quickly. So, no frozen screen.
However, you may be wondering about actual speeds. Well, for comparison, with fiber internet, you will be able to stream a 2-hour movie in 40 seconds.Not bad,especially when compared to traditional options, such as cable-based internet connections, where it would take 7 minutes to hit the same goal. Plus, if you opt for 5G fiber optic internet, you can download that same 2-hour movie in 4 seconds. Now, that saves a lot of time.
It’s Reliable
It has happened to almost everyone who has used a regular internet connection.
You are streaming a movie, only to have the image become pixelated and the movie freeze altogether. That’s not great at the best of times, especially if you are in the middle of an infamous movie scene, like the Joker’s interrogation in the Dark Knight.
To download a movie, the cable and the internet must be fast. Plus, as mentioned before, fiber optic broadband is not only fast, but it has a wider bandwidth,meaning it can handle more data being downloaded without lagging or blocky images. So, it is more reliable for movie nights, online meetings, and just consistently better access to the internet when you need it.
No Speed Change
Okay, there is that word again -speed. However, in this sense, if you are a professional YouTuber, you will know all too well the hassle of filming and editing a video for it to take hours to upload. Not great.
Cable-based internet was infamous for this issue.You could download an image or movie in minutes, but it would take hours to upload, even with a strong signal. It could even take longer periods to upload essays if you were a university student.
Luckily, with fiber optic internet, if it takes 4 seconds to download a 2-hour movie, then guess how long it will take to upload one? 4 seconds. So, if you are a YouTuber or need to be making regular uploads online for work or university, you won’t have to wait for hours for the upload to be completed. Great.
Better Household Connection
There is no way around it. Since more homes have purchased AI devices, like Alexa or Google Home, there has been a greater need to link the AI systems to other parts of the home, from the security camera to the lights in the bedroom.
For the AI devices to operate correctly, they need to be connected to the internet, and you guessed it, having fiber optic broadband has been found time and time again to be the best option for making homes into ‘smart homes.’
With 10 times more bandwidth than other internet providers, you can link as many smart devices to your AI device as you want, ensuring that your home is secure and always online.
Affordable
Now onto the big question that you may have been having; is it affordable?
Surely with wider bandwidth, faster speeds, and superior upload and download times, having fiber optic broadband is going to cost a fortune, isn’t it?
No, it isn’t. Compared to other forms of internet options, the use of fiber optics means that there is less maintenance required from the providers, and the cables do not need to be checked as regularly. So, less maintenance on the end of the providers means lower all-around costs.
Of course, there are different types of fiber optic broadband. As mentioned earlier, one of the ones that are growing in popularity is the 5G option. Be aware when looking for fiber optic broadband of the type you are looking to have, as 5G broadband is going to cost a bit more than standard fiber optic broadband. If you aren’t sure which type of fiber optic broadband would be right for you, be sure to ask the service provider about your needs and their recommendations.
Remember, the days of glitchy, slow internet connections are a thing of the past. If you need to have access to the internet for school, work, or simply watching movies, you may be surprised at how superior (and affordable) fiber optic broadband is.
You must be logged in to post a comment.