The Internet connection via a Fiber Optic cable is called the Fiber Optic Internet connection and you will be able to connect these cables to your modems, routers, laptops, and computers the same way you did for the traditional DSL connection as well.
Fiber Optic Internet
The major change here is the Speed of the Internet which is the reason why people love to use the Internet in modern times as such today, and these wires have small wires inside them that are not affected by the weather conditions which is also another reason why this service is growing on the go.
The said wires are attenuated by different wires present and mixed along in an overall process, in this way the cable is stronger in terms of breaking but at the same time it gives the user a stronger Internet connection as well.
If you ask us if the whole world is on Fiber Optic, then we would say No because DSL is an economic option for many countries right now which do not have the privilege of extended Fiber optic connection, and at the same time for some people the cost is a major barrier as well, which is why DSL is an economic option for people in different countries but this does not mena Fiber Optic will be less used.
There are large chunks of people who are loving to use the faster Internet connection and video streaming with HD quality which is why Fiber Optic is on the trend and way forward to becoming the finest Internet connection option across the world.
Fiber Optic Internet vs DSL Connection
First you should’ve known that DSL stands for Direct subscriber line which is the method of providing Internet service via the telephone cables and this was the commonly used technology prior to Fiber optics.
Obviously using a telephone cable to serve the Internet will never bring you high Internet speed and the bandwidth would be low as well, but with the advent of fibre optics, you now have the Internet which has never been so fast and free from external weather conditions as well.
We have made the comparison between the Fiber Optic Connection and the DSL connection to show you the difference that makes the fiber optic service so likeable.
Fiber Optic Internet and DSL Internet Comparison Chart
| Feature | Fiber Optic Internet | DSL Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Speed | Upto 1000 Mbps | Upto 8Mbps |
| Video Streaming | Buffer Less | Full of buffering |
| Affected by Weather conditions | Rarely | More often |
| Bandwidth | 10X of the DSL Internet | Not more than 8 -20 Mbps |
| Average Monthly Price | $10 – $20 | $10 |
| Video Quality | HD | Can’t even play videos hardly |
| Time to Install | Quick | Time taking |
How is Fiber Optic Installed
This is an important aspect of how the Internet service will be seen in the longer run and the fiber optic can be installed in many ways depending on the capacity of usage. The methods mentioned below will vary highly depending on the usage capacity and some methods are often used for long term Internet usage only.
Outside Plant (OSP)
The first method is Outside Plant (OSP) where you have to plant the fiber optic wires underground by plowing in, and this is a very straining method and might take longer than days or weeks to setup up the Internet facility because the usage in such cases is very lager in terms of hundreds and thousands of people. In order to ensure that the facility like IT companies, large offices, institutes and schools receive the Internet without stopping such a method is often used.
The main reason to use this feature is because during rainy days or during time when the cable falls down, no internet is down because the cables are plugged through underground and are secure from external risks. In this way large IT companies, industries, institutes and schools can be unaffected from the outside problems and this is a costly method.
FTTH Optical Network
The second method is FTTH Optical Network, through an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) that allows to serve users directly by sending in wired cable connections, and you can check outside your location, and find yourself an terminal box which will have a seal and the logo of the brand of the Broadband provider. Such a junction gets a connection from an Aerial wire, and then through the said junction box the service users such as you and me will receive wired connection that will initiate the Internet facility.
This method is used regularly by all the Internet service providers and the users as well, because the facility is not obstructed with change in feature due to strong optical fibre connection and at the same time the cost is less as well.
Aerial Cable Connection
Third method and the most common method from the past is the Aerial cable connection one. Even though through aerial cable connection you will still be using the Optical fiber wires, this method is very cost effective and is used by Internet service providers which are available in not so large coverage areas.
It means that the Broadband service providers with small regions use this service in order to maintain cost and the same way the cost is less for the users at the end.
How to tell if you have Fiber Optic Internet?
If you look at the Internet wire outside your location, then you will find yourself an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) which would state that your connection is Fiber Optic directly, and the reason is, other network connections do not need a junction box outside the location or neat to the location of the Internet service user.
Do you need a special modem for Fiber Optic Internet?
Yes, you will have to use a special modem or the modern day routers in order to use the Fiber Optic Internet, and in that sense, all the routers and the modems being released in the market now have this ability, but you can cross check the same before buying and see if the product you are buying has the ability to use fiber optic under source type.