The majority of us have heard that fiber optic internet speeds are “superior,” yet this is debatable. What exactly does that imply? Is it actually more dependable and faster? What are the other possibilities for connecting that we are weighing? What is the difference in internet speed between fiber optic and cable? Is it more costly? How can we acquire fiber optics if it is as revolutionary as they claim?
Is it time to sever the cord?
Until today, the most popular home-internet choice was the love-it-or-hate-it cable connection. It is quick at times. It, like a motorway during rush hour, becomes congested during certain times and hence it just cannot keep up with our ever-increasing internet demands.
If you are also one of those people who are sick and tired of their slow internet speeds but also don’t feel like letting go of the cable, then we would recommend you to check out Optimum internet which delivers superior internet service for a faster, secure, and dependable web experience.
One of the most incredible features of Optimum internet is the fact that it offers premium internet speeds at amazing rates. You may try both cable and fiber broadband speeds for less than $50. Let us look at the top five benefits of fiber optic cable internet over DSL and cable.
So, what exactly is fiber optic internet?
A data link delivered by a cable filled with thin glass or plastic fibers is known as fiber optic internet. Data is transmitted through them in the form of pulsed light beams. At one Gbps, fiber optic internet rates are around 20 times quicker than ordinary cable.
What makes fiber optic cable internet superior to regular cable internet? Because there is not any copper wire to clog things up. Signals from cable internet go down metal cables. The signal weakens and picks up interference as the metal heats up. That is why cable and DSL internet are so much slower and more inconvenient than fiber optics.
Fiber optic internet speed has five benefits
Is fiber optic internet superior to traditional internet? Yes, in a nutshell. Compared to cable internet or DSL, it is faster and more dependable. However, it has a number of significant advantages, including no throttling and higher TV picture quality. Let us look at 5 ways fiber optic cable internet outperforms traditional cable. Simplify cable management with our durable and reliable cable drum stand.
- Speed
The internet speed over fiber optics is one Gbps. That is ten to twenty times faster than the current 50 to 100 Mbps cable. See the table below for a detailed fiber optic vs. cable internet speed comparison. It compares the time it takes to download a 2-hour movie using fiber optic vs cable internet.
- Reliability
It has happened to all of us. When you are viewing The Incredibles with your kids, Bob Parr’s face becomes blocky. He stops moving in mid-air. Is this a devilish freezing ray? No, the problem is your sluggish cable internet connection. “Daddy, why did it stop?” your 4-year-old inquires.
The truth is that your cable must be swift enough to stream video, but peak traffic can cause the lines to become overloaded. That is when the disparities between fiber optic and cable internet speeds become clear. Fiber optics can handle more users and traffic at higher rates over time.
- Similar download and upload speeds
“It took me three minutes to get this movie, but three hours to upload it.” You are not alone if you have ever said something similar. The download and upload speeds on cable internet are different, and upload rates are far slower. This is due to the way people utilize the internet. Because most of us download more than we upload, internet companies devote the majority of their bandwidth to downloading.
Fiber optic internet providers can treat uploads and downloads equally because they do not have to worry about overburdening the system. Fiber optic cable internet connection makes it easy to share files and work from home.
- Improved gameplay
If you enjoy playing games like Fortnite or League of Legends, you are probably aware that fiber optic internet speed is the holy grail of gaming connectivity. Gaming does not necessitate a lot of bandwidth. In reality, when compared to high-definition video streaming, gaming consumes only a fraction of the bandwidth, at less than one Mbps.
So, what exactly is the issue? Consistency. A minor hiccup at the wrong time can result in your death in your chosen game. A cable internet or DSL connection has many small problems all the time. The smooth and consistent flow of data provided by fiber optic internet providers ensures that the game obeys your mouse hand twitch.
- Safety
Fiber optic cable internet and 5G connections are not only for fun; they will make our globe a safer place. The National Broadband Plan, released by the US government in 2010, argues for a stronger national network to boost public safety.
First responders, according to the plan, require quicker, more dependable internet to access voice, data, and video to save lives. Access to emergency services is also improved with better internet. It also ensures more reliable catastrophe notification and enhanced national security.
Wrapping up
Fiber optic internet is around 20 times quicker than traditional cable. Fiber is the better option for most internet consumers because of its cost-effectiveness.
However, acquiring fiber optic cable internet access in your location might be challenging because just 25% of American houses have it, with the majority of them in cities. Furthermore, the rush to blanket the country with faster wireless 5G connectivity has hampered fiber rollout.