Unlike the traditional internet connection that has been offered by phone and cable companies, having fiber optic cable in your home means that you will be able to download and upload data at very fast rates but this comes at a certain price. The cost of installing fiber optic cable Internet service Provider at home varies between $800 to $2,000 due to several aspects. The following section outlines what causes the costs, and what the process of receiving high-speed fiber internet in one’s house entails.
Fiber optic internet is a service that utilizes fiber optic cables to transmit internet data to households and businesses.
It is a high-speed internet that uses light to carry information through thousands of hair-like strands of glass or plastic. They provide far superior download speeds to that of basic Cable or DSL internet, with speed maximums starting at 1Gig or beyond. This makes it suitable for households with many people, smart devices and usage of bandwidth-demanding services like HD video streaming.
Fiber optic internet brings speed to homes that is way above what is required in most homes currently. However, with homes getting smart day by day and the demand for bandwidth increasing all the time, fiber connection is always a long-term investment.
The following are some of the factors that bring variation on the fiber optic installation costs
A few key things impact what an internet service provider (ISP) may charge to install fiber optic cables from the street into your home
- Distance from fiber main line – If the house or building is situated away from the fiber installation then construction and permits could make the price go up.
- Home’s exterior/interior - Also, homes with complex designs or those that have more than one floor also come at a higher price because they require more work on the part of the installer and the materials used.
- Installed fiber lines – this means that the physical connection to related FB lines is cheaper than procuring new conduits and cables.
- ISP specials/promotions – Different ISPs have offers like free activation or even free installation of the fiber service in order to attract new customers.
- Optional requirements wiring – It may require more sophisticated routers, mesh networks or home entertainment wiring that would contribute to the total equipment cost or installation fees.
Overview of the normal procedures for fiber optic installation & cost estimate
Fiber internet can be laid by pulling the cables through the ground from the utility lines to an enclosure that is nailed onto the exterior of a home. The installer then drills a hole through the duct to pass a thin fiber optic cable inside to the networking equipment. This means the inside and the outside surfaces of a house have to be accessed during the installation of these gadgets.
Here is a typical cost breakdown for fiber optic internet installation
- They include fees charged for permits/assessments which usually range from $100-$500.
It also entails municipal permits, ISP technician visit to determine the necessary installations to be made. Can be availed for free or can be offered at a very low cost on some ISP offer schemes. - Exterior fiber line – $200-$1,200
Comprises the cost of digging trenches for burying conduit that will house wires and cables, and the materials and labor. Price increases with the increase in the depth of trenching required to access utility fiber line services. - Data communication terminal equipment – home fiber box/equipment – $300-$500
The box on the wall processes signals from the fiber line. But, it also includes WiFi routers or any other sophisticated home networking equipment. - Drilling and pulling of wirings inside – $100-$300
Drilling of entry point of fiber cable and pulling of the cable to the interior location where the equipment would be installed was done at a relatively low cost. - The sum total of these expenses would range from $800 to $ 2000.
This is usually the final cost mainly because within this range, but it can change based on extra installation needs. There is also the monthly fee to pay to the ISP right after the installation.
Activities that may be taken to minimize fiber installation costs
If the upfront price is holding you back from ordering fiber optic internet, explore these options to reduce installation costs.
- Installation quotes from different providers – It is not unusual to find that the cost of installation varies from one service provider to another.
- Inquire about the promotional pricing – the company should inquire whether there are companies that offer first-time customer install discounts.
- Check if your employer or other associations propose a preferential tariff – Some companies or organizations negotiate group tariffs for their members.
- Make long-term commitments - Offer the possibility of getting a cheaper setup fee for engaging in 1-3 years of service.
- Plug your own equipment into it - Avoid paying an extra monthly charge if your household already has a decent router.
- DIY exterior conduit – exterior – If it is allowed it is recommended to dig conduits on your own in order to save money on labor costs.
- Pay overtime/weekend install charges – This makes it a bit costly to the ISP but you benefit from service at a lesser cost.
- Install own in-house networks / interior equipment – If you are well acquainted with networks, avoid in-home wiring costs.
Fiber internet is expensive than the other forms of internet service due to the high costs of installation; however, the prospects of high internet speed, and performance for a long time makes the investment a worthy one for most homeowners. However, depending on the ISP offers of the right promotions or affordable packages for your home, the overall cost of putting up high-capacity fiber optic connectivity could be manageable.
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