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How does fiber Internet work?

  • Fiber Internet uses fiber-optic cable instead of traditional copper cable or satellite signals to provide access to the Internet.
  • Fiber-optic lines consist of up to hundreds of small strands of glass or plastic cables, each about 1/10th the size of a single human hair.
  • Fiber Internet transmits data using pulses of light that travel across fiber cables at speeds approaching the speed of light.
     

As fiber Internet connections become more readily available throughout the country, fiber-optic communication is poised to become the new standard in high-speed Internet access for businesses everywhere. But how does fiber Internet work, exactly, and what are the benefits over other options for Internet access?

Here’s an introduction to the subject “How does fiber Internet work?” that answers these questions about the benefits of fiber Internet connectivity.

How does fiber Internet work?

Fiber Internet provides Internet access using fiber-optic cable rather than traditional copper cable or satellite signals. Fiber-optic lines consist of up to hundreds of small strands of glass or plastic cables, each about 1/10th the size of a single human hair. Each strand of fiber cable transmits data using pulses of light that travel at speeds approaching the speed of light.

How does fiber Internet work better than copper connections?

Fiber Internet is faster than copper connections because fiber-optic cables can transmit data far faster than copper cables. Fiber Internet offers greater bandwidth as well, as the range of frequencies over which data can travel on fiber-optic cables is much higher. Signals sent over fiber cables are far less susceptible to being intercepted or stolen, and fiber lines are much harder and more resistant to damage from environmental or fire hazards.

How does fiber Internet work over distance?

Fiber Internet signals can travel much farther than electrical signals over copper cables without losing quality. This makes fiber Internet ideal for transmitting data over long distances.

How does fiber Internet work in adverse conditions?

Unlike copper cable, fiber Internet signals do not rely on electricity. That means power outages will have little to no effect on fiber Internet quality, and proximity to powerful electrical equipment won’t create electromagnetic interference.

How does fiber Internet work with dedicated access?

Fiber Internet is even more effective with dedicated Internet access. With dedicated access, an Internet service provider creates a private connection to the customer premises, enabling the business to always rely on a certain level of bandwidth – as opposed to shared Internet access, where bandwidth is shared with a variety of companies/users and may be lower during peak traffic times.

How does fiber Internet work at Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise is a leading provider of fiber services to America’s largest businesses. With thousands of fiber-route miles and fiber-lit buildings throughout the country, we offer gigabit Internet service over fiber-optic lines with bandwidth that can scale from 25 Mbps to 100 Gbps to meet evolving business needs.

In addition to fiber Internet, we offer fiber services for voice, TV, cloud and managed network services.

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