Fiber internet also known as fiber optic internet is is now coming to more households as firms continue to roll out faster fibre networks. However, is fiber internet really more expensive, and is it justified in terms of the cost compared to cable internet or DSL? Now that we know what fiber is, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of taking fiber for us to determine whether it works for us or not.
Speed and Reliability
The main advantage of migrating to fiber internet is a drastic increase in the connection speed compared to other connections. While the fastest cable Internet can deliver approximately 500 Mbps in terms of speed, fiber internet connections can go up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps). That incredibly fast speed means that when downloading files or streaming movies, playing online games or using social networks, there will be almost no question of lag or buffering.
In addition to offering faster connections, fiber optic cables offer uniform, stable connections that cannot be affected or disrupted by the environment unlike cable and DSL. As for the cables, fiber cables consist of glass, which means that weather conditions do not affect signal quality. This means, your speeds will not reduce at any time, unlike on cable internet plans where the speed slows down especially during rush hour that is in the evenings and over the weekend.
Cost Considerations
Of course, fiber optic internet is relatively expensive than other internet connection types, and the average price for fiber internet is $80-$100 per month and is offered by most fiber internet service providers for high internet speed. This is about 30-50 dollars more compared to the best cable internet plans offered by the service providers. Nevertheless, more providers are offering cheaper ‘beginner’ fiber plans for somewhat lower speeds of around 100-300 Mbps for roughly $50 a month. At such a price proposition, fiber can cater for the needs of customers desiring higher bandwidth than what basic cable offers but at a considerably cheaper cost.
You will also need to include other costs such as installation costs if your home or the current area does not already have fiber connectivity. Despite the fact that there are sometimes promotions that give providers a chance to cover the cost of the equipment and installation, the latter may cost several hundred dollars for the first time that the fiber connection is provided. The long-term residential use, if you do not plan on moving in the next several years, allows you to cancel out high first costs with many months of lower prices.
Other Features and Services under the Advanced Tab
As a breed of broadband internet, fiber Internet service Provider has some extra benefits that we cannot get from cable and DSL connections. Fiber providers are increasingly diversifying their fiber internet offerings with content and services that offer interesting add-ons to fiber broadband packages.
Some fiber providers even add entertainment subscriptions with the connection plans, like live TV streaming, ESPN+, HBO Max, etc. In case you were already subscribing to any of those services, you can enjoy the fact that fiber bundles help to combine the expenses. Another advantage of fiber internet packages is that the packages offered are symmentrical, meaning the package comes with an uploaded speed that is as fast as the downloaded speed. This will aid functions such as video conferencing, collaborative gaming, as well as transferring bulky files.
Well then Is Fiber Right For You?
Copper is a more common option because it’s cheaper and offers a reliable internet connection but has a considerably slower speed than fiber. The most significant advantages are the best for those who have several individuals or numerous devices that require always being online to perform tasks that require fast internet connections. This is especially true for families in which several of their members are streaming, gaming or even working. As for other types of consumers, media creators, programmers, and remote workers would also appreciate fiber for the sake of performance and upload speed.
However, a single person who just surfs the internet and watches light streaming may not necessitate the price that comes with fiber. Cable internet with less download speed is also capable of providing a reliable connection to gaming households that possess a high-end router.
In summary, it is also essential to see whether fiber connections by recognized ISPs such as AT&T, Verizon, or any local fiber provider is available in the region. Whether fiber is an option or not, simple mathematical calculations like comparing installation costs as well as monthly charges against the current monthly bill will help one understand if is financially feasible to switch to fiber. Balance it with the necessity of internet for your household and the improvement that fiber internet brings with it will possibly be of sufficient worth to pay for.
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