If you’re like most business owners, you are always looking for ways to improve your bottom line. You may have heard about fiber optic networking and the benefits it can offer your business. But what are those benefits? In this blog post, we will discuss some of the top reasons why fiber optic networking is a great choice for businesses of all sizes. We’ll also take a look at how fiber optic networks are changing the way we do business. So if you’re thinking about making the switch to fiber optics, read on! You won’t be disappointed.
Fiber Optic Networking: The Basics
The internet is vital for your business communication, storage, sales processing, and customer outreach. Having reliable internet service is crucial to your business, so you want to make sure you have the best possible connection. The way data is transferred over the internet is rapidly improving due to technological advancement. The internet today is largely powered by fiber optics, which are much faster than the old modes of data transfer.
But what is fiber optic internet? Why is fiber optic internet better than other types of broadband that are available in your area? Not sure whether you should get fiber optic internet or cable? Keep reading for the answers to your questions.
What Is Fiber Optic Networking?
A fiber optic network, which is also called fiber internet or simply “fiber,” uses thin strands of glass or plastic to deliver data at high speeds. This type of broadband connection is both fast and reliable. Fiber optic networking technology uses fiber cables designed to send data quickly, at speeds that are nearly the speed of light. The data is moved along fiber optic cables as light. It travels fast and reaches its destination quickly, where it then turns into electrical data that your company’s smart devices can understand.
Optical Fibers
Optic cables are made up of optic fibers. These fibers are minute glass strands that aren’t much wider than human hair. The small fibers that make up an optical cable are bundled together to create fiber optic internet technology. These fibers act as mediums that carry LED or laser light pulses down the length of the cable; this is how information is transferred through cables. Businesses use cables to bring this information to a network terminal. The light at the end of the process converts into an electrical signal for businesses’ varying purposes.
Fiber Optic vs. Cable
Wondering whether you should get cable or fiber-optic internet? Both have their perks, but here are the key differences between the two.
Structure
While both fiber optic and cable internet connections use cables to deliver data, the type of physical structure each uses is different. As you read above, fiber optic internet transmits data using light signals across small, flexible glass strands. Fiber optic cables are composed of tiny strands of glass, which are bundled together. These bundles are then covered in protective layers of plastic. The light reflects off the walls of the cable, from its starting point to its final destination.
Coaxial cables use a copper core, surrounded by aluminum and a copper shield. The whole cable is then encased in an external layer of plastic. These cables allow the transfer of data using the same technology that brings pictures and sound to cable televisions.
Availability
While fiber internet is slowly gaining popularity, coaxial cables are still much more widely available. Nearly all of the United States has access to cable internet, with 88% coverage across the country. Plus, setting up cable internet is a breeze. You simply choose a local cable internet provider, buy a plan that fits your business’ needs, and schedule an installation at your earliest convenience.
Though it has become more common in recent years, fiber optic networking is still not as widely available as cable internet throughout the United States. This is especially true of some rural areas whose cable internet connection speeds are still quite slow. More communities will have access to fiber optics in the next few years as its availability becomes more widespread.
Reliability
A reliable internet connection is key for any business. Today’s internet technology is much more dependable than in the past, and both cable internet connections and fiber optic internet connections are relatively trustworthy if you have good service. The primary distinction is that cable internet may experience problems due to electricity-related factors.
Businesses that experience electricity interruptions or power outages might have their internet connection over cable disrupted. Areas with fiber optic internet will not experience outages because the data is transmitted via light instead of electricity. This makes optical fiber internet more reliable in situations with potential electrical issues.
Speed
Businesses prioritize speed when they are looking for an internet service provider. There are two types of internet speeds — upload and download. The recent advancements in cable technology now allow for download speeds of 10 to 500 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of around 5 to 50 Mbps. Since your business shares the same cable network with other businesses, you’ll likely see a dip in speed if many people are trying to upload or download data at the same time.
With fiber optic internet, you can experience incredible upload and download speeds of at least 250 to 1,000 Mbps. For businesses, in particular, this is vital for things such as quickly downloading or uploading files.
Cost
When fiber optic cable internet was first starting to become popular, it was a lot more expensive than cable internet. Although fiber internet is now more accessible in many areas, it’s still typically pricier than cable internet.
Several factors affect the cost of cable, including your current television or phone service as well as your location. Many providers offer bundles that include both cable internet and television services, which can help reduce costs. The prices of fiber optic internet plans depend on where you live, how much data you use, and the speeds you need.
ADD Communications: Fiber Optic Service
Fiber optic internet has many benefits that can be extremely advantageous for businesses, including reliability, speed, and cost. If you’re looking for a dependable and affordable fiber optic provider, look no further than ADD Communications. Contact us today to learn more about our fiber optic services.
