High-speed internet connections provide the fastest and most dependable service, but setting up the network to deliver it to your devices can pose challenges.
For those exploring this type of service for the first time or still considering their options, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process.
How does fiber-based internet function?
Fiber-based technology is vital in modern connectivity, as the global network depends on extensive fiber-based cables.
These cables consist of thin strands of transparent material that transmit data as light pulses over long distances.
Unlike traditional conductors, fiber-based cables can carry considerably more data, are less susceptible to data degradation, and remain unaffected by electromagnetic disturbances (such as those from solar activity).
Fiber-based cables extend across vast areas, often buried deep below the surface, ensuring dependable and consistent service.
A light-driven pathway
In fiber-based technology, data travels as pulses of light. The interior surface of the cable reflects the light, directing it along the tube toward its destination.
Since information moves at the speed of light, fiber-based cables enable swift data transfer.
Different types of fiber cables exist—some built for strength, others for long-distance transmission—but all provide fast and dependable data movement.
Ultimately, all digital traffic will pass through fiber-based networks, but ideally, it should reach directly to your location.
Fiber to the location (FTTL) provides the quickest and most reliable connection available while lowering long-term maintenance expenses and reducing user complaints for service providers.
As a result, fiber internet options often cost similarly or even less than other forms of connections in the same area, benefiting both users and providers alike.
The final segment of the connection
Many networks based on high-speed lines do not extend directly to residences.
The gap between the main network lines and the user’s location is commonly called the “final segment” (though the exact distance can vary).
Standard cables, telephone lines, or wireless systems usually cover this part. This difference separates high-speed connections from other types of internet services.
Subscribers to high-speed services have a continuous connection from their residence to the broader network infrastructure.
In contrast, those on other connections usually only have high-speed lines up to a certain point, with the remaining connection relying on older cables or telephone systems.
These outdated technologies cause delays, reduce performance, increase response time, and make the connection less dependable.
As a result, although most data travels via advanced transmission methods, some individuals experience a notably better service than others.
Why Fiber Stands Out?
What makes fiber a top choice? Beyond serving as a modern solution for online connectivity, fiber brings several advantages that other technologies struggle to match.
Its primary benefits include exceptional data transfer speeds, balanced upload and download speeds, consistency, and scalability.
Outstanding Data Transfer Speeds
Fiber has become the primary method for connecting large regions and millions of users globally, making it the fastest available option for home networks.
With most fiber plans offering speeds reaching up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), even busy households will find it hard to utilize this bandwidth, even with numerous devices fully.
Though other connection types can reach similar speeds, they don’t provide the same efficiency as fiber. As alternative technologies advance, fiber maintains its lead.
For instance, one provider is testing speeds up to 20 Gbps for residential use—far beyond the requirements of most homes.
As online speeds grow, the performance difference between fiber and other technologies will keep expanding.
Equal Upload and Download Speeds
While other connections may offer comparable download rates, their upload speeds remain far behind. Fiber, however, ensures equal upload and download capabilities.
If your connection can handle 1 Gbps for downloads, it can also manage 1 Gbps for uploads.
Many online activities, such as browsing and streaming, rely heavily on download speeds.
However, with the rise of real-time communications and live streaming, upload speeds are becoming more important.
Fiber continues to be the top performer when it comes to upload speeds.
Reliability
Fiber connections offer the highest advertised speeds and provide greater consistency in maintaining those speeds compared to other connection types.
Various internet services remain vulnerable to interference. For instance:
- Cable connections slow down when more users in the area access the internet.
- DSL connections decrease in speed as the distance from the leading provider increases.
- Fixed wireless signals depend on a clear path to the transmitter, making them prone to blockage by natural or artificial barriers.
- Satellite connections face disruptions due to weather conditions.
Fiber, however, remains unaffected by these challenges.
Additionally, it demands less maintenance than alternative services, leading to fewer disruptions from equipment replacements, which are familiar with other connection types.
Scalability
Fiber is the optimal choice for current internet needs and offers the best long-term option.
By using light signals instead of electricity, fiber operates at much higher frequencies, allowing it to transmit more data with minimal loss over longer distances.
This capability enables fiber to carry significantly more information than traditional materials.
Additionally, fiber installations often include unused extra components, referred to as “extra capacity.”
As demand grows, these unused components can activate to expand capacity without needing to replace or upgrade the current setup.
Why Don’t I Have Fiber Now?
While high-speed connections offer numerous benefits over other networks, various factors limit their widespread availability to homes.
Installation Expenses
Although optical transmission technology has been around for decades, setting it up remains costly.
Many of these expenses come from digging channels to bury the cables beneath the surface.
In large urban areas with numerous potential users, creating channels for main lines is often cost-effective.
However, for smaller neighborhoods or individual homes, the return on investment is lower, making it less financially viable.
As a result, the last segment of the network typically employs more cost-efficient but less reliable technologies.
One company tried to address this by developing a method for shallow channeling, where workers cut narrow grooves into roadways, just wide enough for the cables and only a few inches deep.
Unfortunately, this approach led to several issues, such as damaged cables and cables rising above the surface, causing safety hazards in a specific area.
Eventually, the company abandoned the project and had to repair the affected infrastructure.
Temporary Solutions
Although high-speed connections remain the most reliable long-term option for home internet, other technologies offer acceptable connections in the short term, even though they are not as fast or dependable.
These alternatives may meet immediate needs but could lead to problems later.
For example, a major telecommunications company faced financial difficulties partly due to its failure to invest in faster, more reliable connections, underscoring the risks of favoring short-term solutions over future-proof investments.
Long-term Barriers
High-speed connections represent a wise long-term investment, which is why many regions work to build their broadband networks.
For instance, one community achieved significantly higher internet speeds than its commercial counterparts through a municipal network.
However, many areas face restrictions or bans on creating their broadband networks, limiting opportunities for local investment in advanced infrastructure.
Additionally, expanding such networks proves challenging for service providers. Competing providers often disrupt efforts even when local governments are ready to invest.
For example, one company attempted to block another from using existing infrastructure in a particular area.
Although the company lost the legal battle, the conflict caused delays and prevented the expansion of the new network.
How to Set Up Fiber Internet on Your Own?
Setting up fiber typically requires running new cables and configuring specialized equipment, which is why many providers don’t allow self-installation.
They often send a technician to your location, which can be expensive (although some providers may offer free professional setup).
However, if your service provider permits self-setup, follow these steps to configure fiber internet yourself:
- Identify your network terminal.
- Link the network terminal to the main device.
- Power on the main device.
- Connect your device to the main system.
- Configure your wireless network.
These steps are similar to setting up other internet types, with a few important variations. Let’s go over each one.
Identify your network terminal
To begin installing your fiber internet, locate the optical terminal (or similar system), which links your home to the provider’s system.
Network terminals tend to be larger and more robust than traditional connectors, often ranging in size from slightly larger than a small box to the size of a briefcase.
These terminals are typically placed in hidden spots like corners, closets, or utility areas.
If you don’t have a terminal installed, arrange for a technician to do so.
Safety reminder
If your terminal has unsecured connectors, avoid looking directly into the exposed end, as this could lead to injury.
Always consult your terminal’s manual to properly secure the connections.
Once you locate the terminal, check that the power indicator is lit. If not, confirm that it’s plugged into a power source.
Link the fiber connection to the device
Start by connecting your device to the fiber connection. Typically, use a data cable for this, which should come with your device.
Insert one end into the connection port and the other end into the designated port on your device, often labeled appropriately for fiber connections.
If the connection is larger, the output might link to multiple points throughout the space. In this case, locate a suitable port within the space and connect your device to it.
Power on the device
Once you establish the connection between your device and the fiber terminal, plug in the power cable to the device and connect it to a power source.
The status indicators should start blinking and eventually stay lit, indicating that the device is operational.
This process may take longer with fiber than with other services, sometimes up to 15 minutes.
If the status indicators continue blinking after 15 minutes, disconnect the power, wait for 30 seconds, and reconnect it.
If the blinking persists after another 15 minutes, contact the service provider’s support team.
Connect a device to the system
To initiate the wireless network setup, connect a device to the system. This can be done with a laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Many systems will automatically generate a default connection. You can find the connection information either on a label on the device or in the user guide.
If the system does not create a default network, connect directly using a data cable.
Set up your local network
Complete the final step by choosing a name and access code for your local network.
If you need assistance with the setup process, refer to our detailed guide to walk you through each phase.
How to Bring High-Speed Internet to Your Area?
High-speed internet is highly valued and widely available, but many residences, particularly in certain regions, still lack access.
The main challenge lies in connecting the “final stretch”—the segment between your residence and the broader network infrastructure.
This task can range from challenging to complex. However, initiating the process is essential.
How to Get High-Speed Internet to Your Home
If a provider already serves your neighborhood, you’re in a good position.
Connecting the network from the street to your property is a minimal investment for the service provider, usually covered by the setup cost.
If the network is farther away, some providers might agree to run the necessary infrastructure to your residence for a higher installation fee.
However, you’ll likely need to wait until the network extends to your area.
In any case, reaching out to your local service provider is a smart move.
Even if they can’t provide the service right away, expressing interest can help prioritize your location as they expand their offerings.
How to Bring High-Speed Internet to Your Neighborhood
It’s frustrating when high-speed internet is available in some areas but not where you live.
Providers typically prefer to expand networks to regions with a high customer base, often in cooperation with local authorities.
To increase the chances of getting service in your area, attend community meetings and raise the topic of high-speed internet.
Rally your neighbors to join in expressing demand, making a strong case.
Local council members or provider representatives at these meetings can relay the request to the provider, increasing the likelihood of expansion in your area.
How to Bring High-Speed Internet to Your Area
If no internet providers are offering advanced internet service in your location, securing access can seem like a difficult task.
While some providers are expanding their infrastructure, others have scaled back or halted their plans altogether. Does this mean there’s no chance to get high-speed internet?
There’s still another option: community-driven internet. Though larger areas are more likely to see this type of infrastructure first, any location can establish its own network with enough community involvement.
For example, a city with a population of just over 40,000 successfully created its own network, and another town with fewer than 10,000 residents is currently building its own service.
These projects are typically funded by bonds, which means they won’t require raising taxes or taking funds away from other important community services.
Creating a community-based network also brings other benefits.
A study commissioned by the national government in 2015 showed that locally managed broadband systems not only provide affordable, high-speed access but also increase competition and attract private investments to underserved areas.
This helps create more choices for users and boosts economic development.
Even in more developed areas, public investment in high-speed internet systems can reduce costs and foster competition.
A major city recently announced plans to build a citywide network, prioritizing regions with the poorest access.
High-speed internet solutions are not limited to large cities. Smaller towns can also establish their own systems.
For example, a small town announced plans to offer this service to all its residents at no cost.
This effort aims to close the gap between rural and urban internet access, providing rural communities with the same opportunities as urban ones.
Community-driven networks can also lay the groundwork for larger infrastructure projects.
A major company recently chose a city that had already built its own network to expand its services.
Similarly, another city became one of the first to receive this company’s service because of the existing community-run infrastructure.
Where are high-speed networks growing?
High-speed connections are spreading across the country, particularly in urban centers with dense populations.
Increased government investment in fast internet infrastructure is helping to extend access to remote areas that have long been overlooked by major service providers.
One provider is also making strides again, having announced in 2021 that a new city would be the first to receive its service in years.
The expansion also includes other locations such as a city in Utah, a city in Nebraska, a city in Arizona, and a major city in Texas.
Along with this provider, many large nationwide service companies, especially those with outdated connection systems, are rapidly extending their high-speed coverage to meet rising customer demand.
Some of these companies are also rolling out faster connection options in their race to provide the highest residential speeds.
With more individuals working and learning remotely, the need for fast connections will continue to rise.
As a result, more options will likely appear in your area as service providers rush to meet this growing need.