Why Switch to Fiber Optic Internet? (3 Great Reasons)

Here are the top three reasons to switch to fiber optic internet:

1. Fiber Internet Delivers Lightning-Fast Speeds

Fiber-optic cables transmit data using light, resulting in significantly faster speeds than other types of home internet—up to 25 Gigabits per second (Gbps or “Gigs”) and beyond. This means you can quickly download large files, stream high-definition videos buffer-free and play online games with virtually no lag. Whether you're working from home, attending online classes or relaxing with your favorite entertainment, your fiber optic internet speeds will power all your devices flawlessly at the same time.

2. Fiber Internet Is More Reliable

Fiber optic internet is not only consistently fast, it’s also immune to bad signals or interference from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio-frequency interference (RFI) that commonly affect copper cables used in DSL and cable internet. Fiber optic cables are also less prone to damage and degradation over time. This reliability is crucial for activities that demand a stable connection, such as video conferencing, online gaming, file transfers, cloud backups and smart home devices.

3. Fiber Internet Has Symmetrical Speeds

While other types of internet (e.g. cable internet) deliver upload speeds at a fraction of their download speeds, fiber optic internet typically delivers equal upload and download speeds. This ensures seamless performance during upload-heavy online activities, such as hosting video calls, sending photos, videos or other large files, live-streaming, playing online video games or backing up data. Symmetrical internet is particularly beneficial for remote workers, creatives, content creators, gamers and others who benefit from faster upload speeds.

Fiber internet's key advantages include:

• Superior Bandwidth
  Fiber offers greater bandwidth than copper cables, flawlessly powering more devices at once and enabling multiple high-demand applications to run simultaneously without slowdowns. Whether you're downloading large files, streaming media or working in a home office, fiber optic internet can handle it all with ease​.

• Enhanced Security
  Fiber optic internet uses light to transmit data, making it more difficult to intercept. This added layer of security can help protect your personal information and data. However, it’s still crucial to set strong passwords and reduce the risks of cyber threats as much as possible.

• Future-Proof Technology
  As digital demands grow, fiber optic networks and equipment can be easily upgraded to support even higher speeds and greater data volumes without significant infrastructure changes. This scalability ensures that fiber internet will remain a top choice for connectivity in the future​.

• Longer Distances
  Fiber optic cables can transmit data over much longer distances than copper cables without significant signal loss. This makes them ideal for connecting remote or rural locations and ensuring consistent performance over large geographical areas. For example, some fiber optic cables can carry signals for nearly 25 miles, far exceeding the typical 328-foot limitation of copper cables. This capability is crucial for businesses and service providers needing reliable long-distance communication.

• Lower Total Cost of Ownership
  While the initial network installation may come with more upfront costs for internet providers, fiber optic networks are more cost-efficient in the long run. Fiber optic cables are more durable and require less maintenance compared to copper cables. They are also less prone to damage from environmental factors, resulting in fewer repairs and lower operational costs. Over time, the total cost of ownership for fiber optic networks is lower, making it a cost-effective investment for both individuals and businesses. Plus, some internet service providers (ISPs), like EPB, don’t charge an installation fee when they install fiber optic internet at your home.

• Better Performance in Densely Populated Areas
  In densely populated areas, wireless 5G internet signals can suffer from interference caused by buildings and other structures, leading to inconsistent performance. Fiber optic internet, on the other hand, is not affected by physical obstructions and provides consistent, reliable service regardless of the surrounding environment. This makes fiber an ideal choice for urban areas where network congestion and interference can be significant issues for wireless technologies like 5G.

Because fiber internet has standout attributes like blazing fast speeds and superior bandwidth capable of handling multiple high-demand applications at the same time, most consumers consider it to be a better option over other types of internet.

Transmitting Data

• Fiber Optic Internet
  Utilizes thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data using pulses of light, resulting in light-speed data transmission with download and upload speeds up to 25 Gbps or more.

• DSL and Cable Internet
  Rely on copper wires to transmit electrical signals, making them much slower than fiber optics, with DSL speeds typically ranging from 1 to 100 Mbps and Cable speeds ranging from 10 to 1,000 Mbps. Copper cables are also susceptible to signal degradation over long distances, requiring signal boosters to maintain performance, which can lead to slower internet speeds and more frequent interruptions.

• Satellite Internet
  Uses satellites to transmit data signals with speeds that typically range from 12 to 100 Mbps. While useful for reaching remote areas without fiber optic infrastructure, satellite internet is subject to significant latency and signal interference from weather conditions, making it less reliable. This can result in slower speeds and disruptions during bad weather, impacting activities like streaming and online gaming.

• 5G Wireless Internet
  Uses cellular towers to transmit data wirelessly, offering increased mobility and fast speeds, typically ranging from 50 to 1,000 Mbps. However, 5G can suffer from interference caused by buildings and other structures in densely populated areas, leading to inconsistent performance. Additionally, 5G coverage is still limited and can be unreliable in certain locations.

Signal Quality

• Fiber Optic Internet
  Experiences minimal signal loss even over long distances, maintaining consistent and high-quality connectivity. This reliability ensures stable internet, crucial for remote work, online education and smart home devices.

• Traditional Internet (DSL/Cable)
  Copper wires experience signal degradation over distance, meaning the signal weakens as it travels farther, often requiring signal boosters. This can lead to inconsistent internet performance, affecting your ability to stay connected during important tasks.

• Satellite Internet
  Highly susceptible to signal interference from weather conditions, leading to disruptions and decreased performance during adverse weather. This makes it less suitable for users in areas with frequent weather disturbances.

• 5G Wireless Internet
  Can experience signal interference from other electronics or physical obstructions like buildings and trees, leading to inconsistent performance in urban areas. Coverage can also be spotty depending on location, making it less reliable than fiber in certain environments. Additionally, while fiber optic cables can transmit data over long distances (up to 25 miles), 5G signals typically have a much shorter effective range, often limited to a few hundred meters, especially in dense urban environments.

Bandwidth

• Fiber Optic Internet
  Offers massive bandwidth capabilities as multiple wavelengths of light can be transmitted simultaneously. This makes it ideal for powering an entire household (or business) of devices at once.

• Traditional Internet (DSL/Cable)
  Has limited bandwidth that can vary depending on peak hours and local network congestion, potentially leading to slower speeds during times of high usage, causing buffering during video streaming and lag during online gaming sessions.

• Satellite Internet
  Bandwidth is limited and shared across a large area, often resulting in slower speeds, especially during peak usage times. This can affect your ability to perform data-intensive tasks like streaming high-definition videos or downloading large files.

• 5G Wireless Internet
  Offers significant bandwidth but can suffer from congestion during peak times, especially in densely populated areas. While it can handle high data demands, performance can fluctuate based on network load and coverage quality.

• Home Offices:
  • Reliable, high-speed internet for video conferencing and large file uploads.
  • Enhanced productivity with consistent, high-quality connectivity.

• Avid Gamers and Tech Enthusiasts:
  • Low latency and high speeds for a smoother gaming experience.
  • Ability to handle high-demand applications and update, patch or download games quickly.

• Small Businesses:
  • Support for online sales, computing and other critical operations.
  • Reliable connectivity for cloud services, remote work, video calls and customer interactions.
  • Enhanced security for sensitive business data.

• Content Creators and Media Professionals:
  • Podcast Creators: High upload speeds for seamless recording and live streaming.
  • Videographers: Fast upload and download speeds for handling large video files.
  • Graphic Designers: Efficient transfer of large design files and quick access to online resources.
  • Remote Workers and Freelancers: Stable connection for remote collaboration and client meetings.
  • Software Developers: Reliable and fast internet for coding, software updates, and remote debugging.

Switching to fiber optic internet can significantly improve the online experience for these groups, ensuring fast, reliable secure internet access for various high-demand activities.

Reach out to potential providers with any questions you may have about the installation process, tech support and upgrade options to be sure it is a good long-term decision to make the switch.

Tech Pro Tip: Check out this quick video to learn about the most important questions you should ask a prospective internet provider. Watch Now

Live in EPB’s service area and interested in making the switch to EPB Fiber Optics? Click here to check out the affordable high-speed internet options available to you.