In this Digital Age, your business must be accessible to your market anytime and anywhere. That’s why internet connectivity plays a vital part in helping your business to succeed. And when it comes to the most updated connection, fiber optic internet is definitely the way to go.
Fiber optic internet uses small, flexible glass fibers bundled into cables. It transmits data through light pulses. The advantage is that these fiber cables can carry multiple signals at once. Large amounts of data are transmitted at a much faster speed, compared to copper wires from DSL or cable internet.
There are 3 types of fiber internet to consider:
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Fiber to the home or premises (FTTH or FTTP)
Fiber internet connection goes directly to your home, if it’s set up already for that. This is also the best option due to its direct connection.
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Fiber to the curb (FTTC)
This kind of connection uses both fiber optic and copper wire cables. The “curb” actually refers to the nearest pole or utility box. So the fiber connection goes through that first. Then coaxial cables send signals from there to your home.
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Fiber to the node or neighborhood (FTTN)
This uses a fiber connection node servicing hundreds of customers within a one-mile radius. A DSL line that uses existing telephone or cable lines serves as the remaining connection from the node to your home.
Whichever fiber internet connection you’ll use, here are its top 5 advantages and how they can benefit your business.
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Faster transmission
Hands down, fiber connection is much faster than DSL or cable internet. Here’s a quick comparison of the three kinds of internet connection. Clearly, fiber internet has the highest download and upload speed versus DSL and cable internet.
Fiber connection:
Download speed: 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps
Upload speed: 5 to 880 Mbps
DSL:
Download speed: 1 to 500 Mbps
Upload speed: 384 Kbps to 8 Mbps
Cable Internet:
Download speed: 20 to 1,000 Mbps
Upload speed: 7 to 50 Mbps
If you think speed is a non-issue for your business, think again. A 2013 study revealed that slow internet connections can decrease employee productivity by as much as a week in a year. The wasted time spent on waiting to upload or download files was a cause of delay. Also, many employees who share the same outdated internet network can slow down the connection speed. Using fiber internet can accommodate more internet users at a higher speed.
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Cost-efficient
Yes, switching to fiber internet connection will cost a bit more. But it is a practical business initiative. You will only spend a fraction to invest in which will pay off sooner than you think. With more sophisticated applications needing more bandwidth, the demand for fiber connections is increasing. As a result, the price of fiber cable components is steadily decreasing as more competitors get into the market. This makes fiber connections more affordable than before.
Electrical transmission via copper cables in DSL and cable internet may be cheaper. But ultimately, the overall cost of housing copper cable networks can be costly. Not to mention that it takes up a lot of space. In terms of durability, copper cables have an average lifespan of 5 years. Fiber optics can last from 30-50 years. A centralized all-fiber network is more economical and space-saving.
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Scalability
Data consumption is steadily increasing as more innovative applications require greater data capacity. Even if you upgrade your DSL or cable internet connection, you’ll only be wasting money on something that will become obsolete. It still cannot compete with what fiber internet can offer.
With its speed and much longer life cycle, fiber-optic connections can easily cope with increasing bandwidth demands. Even if they upgrade, fiber internet can still keep up with the heavy load of data transmission at a faster rate. If you switch to fiber connection now, your business network can handle the rising levels of data consumption for the next five years. And it won’t even cost much to upgrade if you need to.
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Cloud computing
Data storage and management via cloud computing is not just a trend. It’s a necessity for today’s business environment. It is estimated that 90% of organizations are investing in cloud-based services. The forecast for 2021 sees cloud data services handling 94% of workloads. At this rate, your business can’t afford to be left behind with outdated internet connection.
With fiber connection, you’ll have faster access to data in the cloud. The process of uploading or downloading data becomes much quicker. This will significantly minimize delays from your sales and customer service departments. Especially when dealing with prospective and current customers online.
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Security
Using fiber optics for your internet connection is also more reliable in terms of stability and security. With its glass construction, it can reduce the risk of fire and can be installed underwater. It is also protected against any high voltage electrical interference. It can even withstand changes in temperature. It’s also easier to monitor and detect a damaged optical fiber so it can be repaired immediately. Run-down copper cables are susceptible to short-outs and can cause a fire.
Fiber optic internet is also harder to hack. It doesn’t radiate electrical signals so it can’t be tapped, unlike copper cables. If any attempt is made to hack into your network, they would have to cut the fibers physically to end transmission. Wireless or copper-based connections are easier for hackers to infiltrate which can lead to a system-wide failure.
Can’t wait to get started on giving your business a digital edge with fiber connection? It’s time to contact an IT expert who can set it up for you. Computing Technology Solutions (CTS) helps empower businesses like yours with the most updated technological tools and services. CTS provides innovative solutions that are responsive, cost-efficient, and tailor-fit to your business needs. For inquiries, contact a CTS specialist for a FREE risk assessment. Discover how CTS can assist your company’s technological capabilities.
Don’t get stuck with costly and outmoded internet connections. Fiber internet connection is the way of the future. If you want your company to move ahead from the competition, consider CTS as your tech partner in business innovation.