Fibre Optic Internet – Is it Really Worth the Extra Cost? 2024 Guide

Fiber-optic broadband provides the fastest internet speeds that we know of today, that’s not to say something faster isn’t coming along in the future, but for now, it certainly is. Typically, it gets its name from its use of glass or plastic cables, which allow for faster data transfer compared to the standard wires that are still used for most household broadband connections. In terms of broadband comparison, the optic is generally more expensive for several valid reasons. Below there is a quick rundown of some of the reasons why fiber broadband is still worth the extra cost.

As the internet is playing a vital role in everyone’s day more and more many people now don’t even consider looking at anything other than optic because they’ve experienced the benefits and know it’s worth the extra costs, many more providers offer fiber-optic now too so it’s becoming much more accessible and affordable too. If many people were to look at their day they would see it completely revolves around having an internet connection, from the alarm to wake up on your mobile phone or Alexa for example to turning on your heating or answering the door with your smart doorbell. Apple watches tablets, laptops the list goes on.

Faster Data Transfer

With fiber-optic broadband connectivity, you can transfer information at even faster speeds from one place to the other. Fibre internet speeds can range from 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps. This is perhaps the best part of using the optic internet. You can now say goodbye to slow internet connections as optic internet is several times faster compared to even the fastest copper internet connections. Fibre internet allows for unlimited super-fast uploading and downloading speeds than copper connections simply cannot match. You should opt for internet technology if you believe that your current connection is sluggish. You can get one of BT’s superfast fiber connectivity options however the speed difference between copper connections and connections varies massively.

Reliability

Fiber optic internet connectivity also offers significantly better reliability benefits over the copper internet connection. Optic internet connections are not susceptible to elements such as extreme weather conditions which are common in most countries that can stall or damage data transmission like copper cables are. Perhaps the best part is that optic is extremely resistant to electrical and human interference as well unless your fiber is physically cut. Using unreliable internet connections can sometimes have detrimental financial implications for your business. Any amount of unplanned downtime puts your business out on both productivity and communications. Thus, reliability is a necessity for your business to access applications and make phone calls uninterrupted.

Highly Secure Internet

As we share and store more and more of our personal information on our phones and tablets etc it’s important to ensure this information is kept safe. It doesn’t always occur to individuals that what internet package you choose could have an effect on this but it most certainly does.  Fibre internet connections also provide the most secure internet connections available today. In most instances, copper internet connections are susceptible to signal hackings and other ways of compromising the data being transferred. However, fiber cables are manufactured using plastic and glass and are, therefore, unable to release magnetic or electric signals. This makes fiber cables impossible to hack. If anything, the only real damage that you can do to an internet connection is by physically cutting its cable, which will also cause the signal to disappear.

Ideally, fiber cables provide 100% complete defense to any form of sensitive data from several of the online threats such as, though there are many more:

• Viruses
• Malware
• Malicious content

In fact, most would-be hackers and identity and information thieves can easily access business cable internet connections with ease which is very scary indeed. However, the below packages can help:

• Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2024
• Norton AntiVirus Plus
• Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus
• F-Secure Antivirus SAFE
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus
• Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security
• Panda Dome Essential

Symmetrical Internet Connectivity

A few years back, it was difficult to upload and download data at the same time. However, you can now enjoy simultaneous uploading and downloading with symmetrical speeds using fiber internet connections. You can check your current speeds using an online internet speed checker which takes just a few seconds to complete because although you may have signed up to receive a great speed it doesn’t always mean you’re receiving it. The optic connection allows you to download and upload files and video content and make phone calls across continents simultaneously whereas you would really struggle to do this with a bog-standard connection. Fiber optic now provides a competitive edge by delivering the finest internet connectivity with the best combination of productivity and functionality.

Resistance to Interference

Unlike copper cable internet, which is sensitive to electromagnetic interference, fiber internet signals don’t degrade or disappear when exposed to electromagnetic interference. This can be an especially advantageous factor to consider if your business shares telecommunications rooms with other businesses. Your fiber internet cable will protect your data and connectivity from disappearing if the other organization uses equipment that’s likely to cause connection interference and is in the same space.

Bottom Line

The information above quite clearly heavily supports many reasons why you should invest in fiber optic connectivity over standard cables given the choice. After a few broadband comparisons using a website like Broadband Choices to make this much easier for you rather than checking each individual internet provider, you will notice that there’s a huge difference in how different forms of internet connectivity actually function. Obviously it’s entirely up to you what your priorities are regarding budget vs speed and security etc however fiber optic is becoming much more accessible so it doesn’t have to cost the earth if you do your research and shop around for a good deal.