The Ultimate Guide to the Pros and Cons of Fiber Optic Internet
If you’ve ever selected an internet plan, you’ve probably heard of fiber optic internet. This type of internet is becoming more popular because it’s super-fast and reliable. But is it the right choice for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the pros and cons of fiber optic internet to help you decide.
If you’re a gamer, remote worker, part of a large household, or someone who has many smart home devices. In that case, fiber optic internet might be perfect for you. Even if you’re just someone who likes to stream movies, fiber optic internet is worth considering.
With the above in mind, let’s dive into the pros and cons of fiber optic internet.
Pros & Cons of Fiber Optic Internet: Benefits
Gigabit Speed
One of fiber optic internet’s most significant selling points is its speed. It reaches 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). Meanwhile, a typical broadband connection ranges from 25 to 100 Mbps (megabits per second). That means fiber optic internet is around 40 to 10 times faster.
Even more impressive, fiber optic internet has the potential to reach speeds of up to 10 Gbps. However, this is the theoretical maximum speed and is yet to be commonly available.
Gigabit speed is excellent for many things, like downloading and uploading large files, streaming movies and music, and playing online games. In addition, you won’t have to worry about buffering or lag, making it perfect for gamers, remote workers, and streamers.
Security
Fiber optic internet uses light to transmit data, which makes it almost impossible to intercept or hack. This is excellent news for anyone who does many sensitive things online, like banking, working, or shopping. You can feel secure knowing that your information is safe.
Durability
Fiber optic internet is generally more durable than copper in extreme weather and other harsh conditions. That’s because fiber optic cables don’t conduct electricity. Therefore, they’re less susceptible to damage from water and physical impacts. Copper cables, on the other hand, can slowly deteriorate over time.
No Data Caps
Many fiber optic internet plans come without data caps. That means you can use as much internet as you want without worrying about exceeding your limit. In addition, no data caps benefit large households with multiple people using the internet simultaneously. No more fighting over who gets to use the internet for what!
Great Upload Speeds
With fiber optic internet, you get the same speed for uploading and downloading, also known as symmetrical speed. Symmetrical speed is vital for people who need to send large files or do a lot of video conferencing.
On the other hand, cable internet comes with asymmetrical speeds. It can be frustrating to have fast download speeds but slow upload speeds, so this is a big plus.
Low Latency
Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. Fiber optic internet has low latency, which means it responds quickly to your actions online. Low latency is excellent for online gaming or virtual reality, where even a tiny delay can make a big difference.
Pros & Cons of Fiber Optic Internet: Drawbacks
Higher Price
One of the main cons of fiber optic internet is that it can be more expensive than other internet plans. However, the faster speeds and other benefits may be worth the extra cost for some people.
According to data from Reviews.org, the average price of fiber optic internet in the United States is around $64 per month. That’s about $10 more per month than the average price of cable internet. Equipment, infrastructure required, demand, and initial investment costs all influence the cost of fiber optic internet. Fiber internet is more expensive because it’s in high demand. As more people use the internet for bandwidth-heavy activities, there’s a greater demand for faster and more reliable services. Higher demand leads to higher prices for fiber optic internet as providers seek to recoup the costs of upgrading their infrastructure and offering high-quality service.
It’s worth noting that the cost of fiber optic internet may include a major investment in the initial infrastructure, such as laying the fiber optic cables. Providers may pass this cost on to consumers resulting in higher prices.
Availability
Fiber optic internet isn’t available everywhere, so sadly it isn’t an option for everyone. In fact, fiber coverage in the United States is currently at 43%.
Check with your local internet service providers to see if they offer fiber optic plans. If not, stick with a different type of internet until fiber comes to your area. For example, you can check the availability of Race Communications’ fiber internet on the homepage.
Prone to Physical Damage
Fiber optic internet relies on thin and delicate cables to transmit data, which means it’s more prone to damage than other cables during installation. Because they’re not as robust, they need to be installed by specialists, while some providers include the installation as a complementary part of service, sometimes providers don’t so you’ll may need to put some money aside for the installation process.
Pros and Cons of Fiber Internet: Recap
Overall, when comparing the pros and cons of fiber optic internet, there are more benefits to fiber optic internet than drawbacks. Consider it if you can afford it and it’s available in your area. It offers fast speeds, security, no data caps, and low latency. Make sure to research and compare different plans before deciding which one is right for you.
To conclude, if you need fast and reliable internet for gaming, streaming, or other high-bandwidth activities, fiber internet is the right choice. So don’t be afraid to try it – you might be surprised at how much it can improve your internet experience. Call Race Communications at 877-722-3833 or fill out the form and take your online experience to the next level.
