What is fiber internet?

Fiber-optic internet, commonly called fiber internet or simply “fiber,” is a broadband internet technology that can reach speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) with almost no lag time. Fiber offers the best reliability and fastest speeds of any internet connection type, making fiber ideal for multi-device households with high bandwidth needs. Brightspeed Fiber offers ultra-fast upload and download speeds that are perfect for remote work, online learning, gaming, HD streaming, and all of the other day-to-day tasks of the 21st century.

Fiber-optic internet is a complex technology that allows the transmission of information in the form of light rather than electromagnetic waves. There are many pieces that make up this advanced technology, but the two key components that define fiber internet are optical fibers and the so-called “last mile” of the fiber-optic network.

Optical fibers are tiny — about 125 microns in diameter, or slightly larger than a human hair — and made from glass. These fibers are bundled together into cables, which carry pulses of laser or LED light down the line, transmitting information in binary form.

Once these super-fast pulses of light reach their destination, a special piece of equipment called the optical network terminal converts them into output that your devices can understand and use. From there, the signal travels to the router, which sends it to your devices via your WiFi network or Ethernet connection.

The stretch between the main fiber network line and the end user is referred to as the “last mile” (though it is often much shorter than a mile). Fiber internet providers can handle the last mile in several different ways. “Fiber-to-the-node” (FTTN) involves running fiber cable to a local node, then installing copper coaxial cables for the last mile. This can save on costs, but doesn’t offer all of the performance benefits of a pure fiber connection.

Fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) use fiber for the entire connection and represent the fastest and most advanced form of fiber. Brightspeed offers state-of-the-art FTTH connections for our fiber customers, delivering true next-generation internet performance for remote work, online classes, gaming, and more.

Though many people think of fiber-optic as a new technology, it’s been widely used in telecommunications since the 1970s. In 1988, fiber-optic cables were laid beneath the ocean, connecting the U.S. to Europe and forming the beginnings of the new global internet. Since then, expanding fiber networks have allowed for dramatic progress in the telecom field thanks to their high-speed capabilities and reliable transmission of data.

Fiber-optic lines replaced older copper lines years ago, forming the core or “backbone” of our current internet networks. Recent technological advances have made fiber significantly easier and more cost-effective to install in homes. So, as the technology continues to improve, fiber-optic networks are expanding rapidly across cities and directly to customers.

The main difference is that unlike cable, DSL, and most other types of broadband internet, fiber doesn’t utilize electric current to carry signals. Instead, fiber uses light, delivered through the glass strands inside the cable. This method of transmission is faster, more reliable, and has numerous other benefits for internet customers.