How Do I Know If I Have Fiber Internet?
Cable internet has been the industry standard for many years, so people got used to it. Currently, fiber-optic internet has been steadily growing and spreading across the globe with faster speeds and more stability. But how do I know if I have fiber-optic internet instead of cable?
While there are many differences, some aren’t immediately clear from a glance. So whether you’re looking to move to a new place or browsing for an upgrade to your current internet plan, here’s how to find out if you have fiber-optic internet in your home.
How to check if you currently have fiber internet
If you’ve just moved to a new home, are looking to upgrade your internet plan, or decide to change your ISP altogether, there’s an easy way to know if your home has access to fiber-optic internet.
To understand what to look for, first you must know what equipment is needed for fiber-optic internet. While regular copper cable internet has a Network Interface Device (NID), fiber optic internet uses an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to provide homes and businesses with internet access.
Usually, you can find your ONT inside your home around the garage or basement as a small box attached to the wall, where the fiber optic cables connect your home to the ISP.
Another way to quickly check your internet connection is by running a speed test. Fiber internet download speeds start at around 15 Mbps with a symmetrical upload speed. Meanwhile, copper cable internet speeds are usually around 12 Mbps at most, with asymmetrical upload speeds, where the upload speed is significantly slower.
How to check if your area has access to fiber internet
Looking for an ONT or testing internet speeds is a great and easy way to check if you have access to fiber internet. However, you might want to check if an address or certain region has access before you move to that place.
If you want to easily check for fiber internet availability in a region, you can either call your ISP or use an online tool provided by the ISP. For instance, you can easily check for fiber availability through Fidium Fiber’s website. There is no need to go out of your way to look for an ONT before moving.
What is fiber optic internet?
Understanding fiber internet is just as important as understanding what equipment is needed for fiber optic internet. And to understand what fiber optic internet is, we have to look into how the technology transfers data to your home.
Fiber optic internet is a broadband technology used to transmit data over long distances by using light signals inside thin glass fiber cables. The cables internally reflect the light and bounce it along to quickly transfer data across long distances with minimal signal loss. Transferring light signals through fiber glass cables ensures stability and reliability with low latency, even across great distances.
Fiber internet is perfect for streaming, online gaming, transferring large files, and many other online activities due to its fast speed and stable signal. It’s the best internet for any household or business, especially those that use multiple devices to connect to the internet.
How is fiber internet different from copper internet?
The key difference between copper internet and fiber optic internet is the technology used for each of them. Fiber optic internet uses thin fiber cables that bounce light signals to transfer data. Copper cables transfer data using electric signals.
Electricity traveling along the copper cables is notably slower than light being bounced along glass fiber, which affects signal quality and speed. Additionally, electricity has signal degradation across long distances, which negatively affects your services.
While fiber cables are still a new technology that is slowly being implemented across the country, the demand is getting increasingly higher over the years. Since streaming has become popular, demand for faster and more stable internet speeds has skyrocketed, something that copper cable internet lacks.
If you’re looking to upgrade your current copper cable internet to fiber optics or are moving to a new place and want to transfer your internet, try checking if your area has coverage. Check if you have fiber-optic internet availability right now.
Understanding the differences
Now that we have explained how both technologies work and how they’re used, you can use the knowledge to easily tell them apart. This will make it easier for you to spot a fast or slow internet service.
If all you want is fast and reliable internet for online gaming, watching TV, or enjoying your favorite streaming service, Fidium Fiber has you covered. Schedule an installation free of charge right now to enjoy the best fiber-optic internet has to offer.