What is fiber internet? find fiber internet providers in your area

Fiber internet is the future. Often labelled the final frontier of high-speed internet, fiber can send data as fast as 70% of the speed of light. Making it the fastest and most reliable internet connection to exist.

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But how exactly does fiber internet work? How does it connect to your house, and how do you go about setting it up? From Verizon Fios to AT&T fiber to CenturyLink, which internet provider has the best internet speeds? HomeLinkd is here answer it all.

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How does fiber-optic internet work?

Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data up to speeds of 1 Gig - also known as gigabit fiber. Without getting too technical, data is sent as pulses of light through hair-thin strands of fiber glass. This is different to other connection types like DSL and cable, which send electrical current through copper cables. Upload and download speeds are generally the same, however, you can choose a home internet plan with unmatched speeds and data caps if you're not a heavy internet user.

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The infrastructure of fiber adds to the elitism of its technology. Its cables run underground, meaning they're not susceptible to weather-related outages, like the TV or telephone wires that feed cable or DSL are, unlike the copper wires. When data is transmitted through copper wires, it loses some voltage over long distances. But fiber cables carry light over relatively far distances, with low distortion of the light signal. This gives fiber a 10 out of 10 when it comes to reliability.

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Fiber is great for multiple users in the home, those who like to play online games, sending large files, streaming HD movies, working remotely or video conferencing. There's no doubt about it. Fiber internet is fool-proof, future-proof, and well-worth the upgrade.

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The 3 essential things you need from your internet provider if you want the best fiber internet

While fiber is clearly the best internet option out there, currently only a third of the US population has access to it. But due to growingdemand and unparalleled service, fiber coverage is fast expanding. If you live in a city or well-developed hub, this cream of the crop internet should be available to you.

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Thinking of switching to fiber? Here are the things you'll need:

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Fiber optic cables

Your portal into the fiber optics world is of course, having the right infrastructure in place. On top of living in an area with fiber optic cables, a technician (sent by your provider) will need to run fiber to your home.

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A fiber modem for optimal bandwidth

You'll need to ditch your old DSL or cable modem to make way for a specific fiber-ready one. Again, this will usually be supplied by your service provider as part of your fiber installation package.

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A fiber-ready router

In order to keep up with the increased speeds of fiber internet, you'll need to purchase a new wireless router. It is usually recommended to purchase your provider's router for smoother connectivity. Remember, speeds vary spending on your location and/or area.

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How do fiber internet providers install the cables?

“Can I install my own fiber optic cable?”, “How long does it take to install?” and “How does fiber Internet connect to your house?". These are amongst the most commonly searched questions by those weighing up the switch.

Unless you're a fiber technician by trade, chances are you'll need professional help. But installation is quick and easy —especially for the customer.

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Your provider will come to your home with everything you need. This includes something called an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which receives and converts the light signals coming through the cables, into signals for your router.

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Fiber installation for your home happens like this:

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1. The service provider will install the ONT at the point where the fiber cables enter your home. This will likely be in your garage, basement, or closet.
2. They will then plug the OTP into a nearby power outlet.
3. Next, they'll run wires from the ONT to your new fiber-optic router.
4. The technician will test the signal strength and likely tell you if you need extenders to improve coverage.
5. If you do need extenders, they'll connect them to from the ONT to the router for you.
6. To make sure your set up is successful, the technician will get you to check if all your devices are connected and working.

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Is fiber internet faster? Internet users need these top tips to get the most out of their fiber optic internet plan

Once you're all set up, getting the most out of your fiber internet will be your only concern, if at all. Consider router choice, location, and router name and password.

• Choose a central spot in the house and install your router off the floor. Keep it away from other devices that signal their own data like microwaves or baby monitors.
• Use your provider's router. Not only is it easier to purchase through –them they'll update and maintain your software updates automatically, instead of you having to do it yourself.
• Create your own customized network name and password to make login easier and more secure. Simply access the router's user interface and follow the prompts to change your SSID and security key from arbitrary numbers to something more “you”.

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Fiber internet service that keeps up with your bandwidth needs

There's no stopping fiber internet. It's only a matter of time before we all make the switch. Why wait? Fiber is fast, reliable, secure, and the only option geared for the future. With fast download speeds, faster upload speeds, and connectivity throughout the whole home, fiber internet offers the fastest internet around.

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Get uncapped Wi-Fi with speeds of up to 1000 Mbps for just $99.95 per month with Earthlink, Pay a setup fee of $19.95 and your modem will be shipped to you for free. Explore other deals offered by Earthlink here.

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