How is Fiber Optic Internet Installed? Here is What You Need to Know
Fiber Optic Internet Installation: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you follow the news, you’ve probably heard the buzz about fiber optics. This light-speed internet medium is the face of broadband at the moment, with national ISPs rolling out fiber optics across the country. Smaller providers are getting in the game, too, and you might be wondering how you can benefit from the fiber boom. Follow this step-by-step guide to fiber optic installation to start getting the most out of your internet service.
Find a Fiber Optic Internet Provider in Your Area
The first step to fiber optic internet installation is finding a local fiber optic internet provider. Not all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer fiber optic internet. Some ISPs only offer satellite, cable, or DSL internet, which are much slower than fiber optics.
To find local fiber internet providers in your area, type “Fiber Internet Near Me” into your favorite search engine. Near the top of the results list should be websites with lists of all the ISPs in your area, what speeds they offer, and what mediums the internet is available through.
You can also try searching “Fiber Internet” and your zip code. This search will provide both individual sites for ISPs, as well as sites that allow you to see all providers in your area.
Compare Fiber Optic Internet Plans
It can be tempting to choose the first fiber optic provider on your list, but don’t rush! To find the service that meets your needs, you will want to spend time comparing the plans each ISP offers. Consider bandwidth, pricing, contract length and fees, as well as customer reviews of each provider.
If you work from home, you will have higher bandwidth needs than someone who only uses the internet to check their email!
When researching fiber internet plans, you will also want to compare upload and download speeds. For the fastest internet, you will need matching upload and download speeds, which some providers do not offer. Also keep an eye out for data caps or added fees for data overage, which can add up quickly.
You may want to consider add-ons the ISPs offer, such as video options or router rental. Some ISPs only provide internet, while others provide phone and video as well. Most ISPs allow you to rent or buy a router at the time of install, but prices on this may vary and add to your overall bill, so you will want to investigate this before signing up for service.
Schedule Your Fiber Optic Internet Installation Appointment
Once you have compared the available plans, it’s time to make a decision. Contact the service provider you have chosen and schedule an install.
All major ISPs offer professional installation during the business week, from Monday to Friday. When scheduling an appointment, the internet service provider will ask for your availability. You will choose a day and time that works for you, and await the professional installer.
On the day you have chosen, a professional installer will show up at your house with all the necessary installation equipment. The technician will install an Optical Network Terminal at your home. The ONT converts the light signals from your ISP into electrical signals your router can understand.
Depending on your service provider, the ONT may be connected to power outside your home, or it may be installed inside your home and plugged into a standard power outlet.
Once the ONT is installed, the installer will run an Ethernet cord from the ONT to a point inside your home where your router will be connected. If the ONT is located outside your home, a cord may be run beneath your house or through the attic. An Ethernet jack is then installed inside your home, and an Ethernet cord runs between the jack and the router. If your ONT is located inside your home, an Ethernet cable will simply be run between the ONT and the router location.
Lease or Purchase a Fiber Optic Router
Once the ONT is installed, you will need a fiber optic router. Some ISPs, like AT&T, offer “free” fiber optic routers built into your monthly fee. Other ISPs offer router lease or purchase as an add-on, depending on your plan.
You can also choose to purchase your own router. If you opt to purchase your own router, you will want to be sure you are purchasing a “Wi-Fi Router” or “Wireless Router.” Do not purchase a router-modem combo, as these will not work with fiber optic internet.
Once you have a router, you will connect the router to the ONT or Ethernet jack that was installed. If you opted to lease or buy a router through your internet service provider, they will usually set up the router for you. If you purchased your own router, instructions for set up are included in the package.
Connect the Fiber Router With Your Devices
Once the router is set up, all you have to do is connect your devices to the router. For devices with an Ethernet port, you simply need to connect an Ethernet cable between the device and the router’s LAN ports, which are usually located on the back or side of the router.
If you are connecting devices via Wi-Fi, you will need to choose the name of the new Wi-Fi network on each device and type in the password on the device when prompted. Although this can be time-consuming if you have a lot of devices, you will only need to do this once to enjoy on-demand internet at any time going forward.
Once all your devices are connected, then voila! You are free to enjoy your new light-speed fiber internet. Enjoy the benefits of your new high-speed connection by steaming, downloading, uploading, or playing video games – all at once, without slowing down.
Thanks to the fast internet connections provided by fiber optics, you can connect multiple devices to your new fiber optic internet simultaneously without any latency or interruption in the speed.
Important Things to Know About Fiber Optic Internet Installation:
- Unless you are a fiber optic technician, you CAN NOT install fiber optic internet on your own. For more details on why, check out this article.
- If you try to install your own fiber optic internet, you may end up damaging your house or the fiber.
- ISPs retain control of their fiber optics, so without professional installation, your fiber optic cables will not get signals from the internet.
- Depending on the provider you choose, you may be charged an installation fee. Fortunately, many ISPs offer free installation for new fiber optic customers. However, even if you are charged an installation fee, the easy set up and the high-speed internet connection will be worth every penny.
- The installation process may vary based on the provider you sign up for, and where your ONT is located. If you have any questions about the installation process, the ISP will be happy to answer them before your appointment.
If you are in Chattanooga and searching for fiber optic internet, look no further than EPB. For only $67.99 a month with no contracts and no install fees, you can get gig-speed internet for the whole family. If you’re ready to make the move to fiber optic internet, contact EPB today.
