Fiber optic internet is internet at the speed of light. Literally. Fiber internet uses fiber optic cables made from small glass coils to carry signals. These glass coils transfer data using pulses of light. These light pulses carry data through the glass cables much like electricity carries data through copper cables but much faster. This is because fiber optic cables can carry multiple signals at once, giving you internet speeds of 1000 Mbps (DSL and cable connections both have average speeds of only 20 Mbps-100 mbps).

How Is Fiber Optic Internet Different from DSL and Cable?

DSL and cable connections both carry data through copper wires. These copper wires largely attenuate and distort the signal they carry. In other words, the farther the data travels, the weaker the signal becomes. This makes it harder and slower for your device to configure the signal once it finally reaches your home. Distance is a big problem for cable and DSL internet, so the farther away your home is from your neighborhood node or local Internet Service Provider, the weaker your signal is likely to become. In contrast, fiber optic cables carry signals more quickly and reliably over much farther distances.

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Trunk Cables Are Usually Fiber Optic

Because fiber cables are very small, they are usually bundled together to form larger cables called “trunk cables.” Fiber trunk cables are often used to connect your local IXPs (Internet Exchange Point) to other IXPs, thereby connecting your house to the rest of the world.

If the IXPs Already Use Fiber Trunk Cables, Why Is My DSL Or Cable Internet Still So Slow?

The problem occurs when connecting your house to the local IXP. This stretch is known as the “last mile” and is where your internet speeds tend to drop. If you have a DSL or cable connection, copper wires connect your house to the IXP. The internet signal becomes distorted and slow as it leaves the fiber trunk cables and travels from the IXP to your house. When you invest in “fiber optic internet,” these “last mile” cables are switched to fiber, eliminating the lag of copper wires.

Is Fiber Optic Internet Right for Me?

If you want faster upload and download speeds and a connection that supports multiple users at once, choose fiber optic. Trust Amplex Internet to provide a safe and efficient installation.

Let us improve your life through technology. Contact Amplex Internet today.