Here is a brief synopsis of the main types of connections that are still used, and how they work:. Dial-up, which is far less common than it was 20 years ago, utilizes existing telephone lines, which are usually made of copper. Dial-up uses the audible frequency of the landline, which is why you hear a series of beeps and noises when it connects.
DSL digital subscriber line internet also uses telephone lines to transmit data. Speeds for cable internet can vary widely, anywhere up to Mbps for downloading and up to 50 Mbps for uploading, on average.
High-speed internet connections transmit data at different speeds. In addition to being faster, fiber is widely considered to be more reliable, and is an excellent choice for telecommuters, gamers, multi-user households and businesses. The everyday connection speed you experience can be limited by the use of wireless technology, which tends to lose signal strength meaning reduced bandwidth as compared to the wired connection that enters your router. Fiber internet is a great choice for high-bandwidth households where multiple users want to stream video, play online games, back up data, or send and receive large files at the same time, especially over long distances.
A fiber-connected home can deliver an exceptional experience across all devices and internet-connected systems, from home security to smart thermostats, ovens, refrigerators and other appliances. As an example, this is how long it would take, on average, to download a large media file 6. CenturyLink is continually expanding its fiber-optic network across the country.
Check availability today and see if you can get Fiber service where you live! View all Fiber Internet topics. Top Tools. Internet Speed Test. Where's My Technician? Terms such as "fiber to the curb" do not mean that your home is connected directly to a fiber-optic network. Rather, another form of hardware, most likely cable, carries that connection into the home. This could affect speeds a great deal.
Also, always ask about download speeds as well as upload speeds. Ken Black. Please enter the following code:. Broadband makes it possible to stream movies and shows to your Smart TV. Entertainment and Connectivity: We have all become used to having the world at our fingertips. We may browse recipes, check the latest stock information, video chat, stream a movie , download music, or play interactive online games.
With fiber optic Internet, ISPs are able to provide enough bandwidth to do all of those things at once, without having to sacrifice service quality. Connect every aspect of your home so it runs seamlessly from your smart device.
You can also monitor and protect your home remotely using Smart Home Security. Telecommuting: Fast access to the Internet makes it possible for professionals to telecommute. Working remotely allows people to live wherever they want, without having to sacrifice career opportunities. Distance Learning: Educational and enrichment opportunities for every age group are quickly becoming the norm at colleges, adult education programs, and even as virtual elementary schools emerge.
Symmetrical speeds, once again, are a key part of this process. They allow students to quickly upload their assignments from home. K Education: Aside from the obvious access to information for studying, children and their parents can always be engaged in the educational process through educational web portals. These portals provide an interface to communicate with teachers and administrators, real-time access to assignments and grades, and numerous educational resources.
Access to Health Care : Telemedicine has made advances that allow for the digital transfer of information that once required traditional telephone technology. Today, high-speed fiber connections allow health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology.
Fiber optic Internet provides seamless video connections, so patients in remote locations can access medical experts quickly and efficiently without having to travel. Independent Living for the Aging or Disabled: Aging in place and independent living are quickly becoming more important to us as the population ages.
The most affordable home automation products are cloud-based and Internet-dependent. A wide array of products from voice-activated devices to panic alarms can have a profound impact on quality of life for senior citizens, the disabled, and the people who care for them. Broadband is an important tool for government, big and small.
Access to reliable, high-speed Internet allows live streaming of municipal, state and federal proceedings — either in real time or more importantly on demand. Government websites and social media provide a continuous stream of information to the public as well as forums for public participation. Citizens can pay taxes online, register vehicles, procure hunting, fishing, and pet licenses, and with the click of a button, communicate via email with elected officials and staff.
Many government entities have employed a messaging system that allows citizens to use any smart device to alert officials about everything from dangerous potholes to emergency situations they might witness. The plan suggests that:. Broadband can also provide the public with new ways of calling for help and receiving emergency information.
Energy and Environment: Transportation and power generation are 2 of the biggest impacts on global warming. Both Smart Grid technology for electricity generation and distribution and metering, and improved transportation management can develop efficiencies that will greatly reduce emissions and ultimately the carbon footprint. Hi-speed fiber internet connectivity is integral in both cases.
Libraries: Particularly during economic downturns, libraries become a haven for the public, providing computers and internet access, books and movies for inexpensive entertainment, and assistance with online job searching. Regardless of the economic climate, libraries are automated to the point that users can download digital media from home, reserve and renew books online, and access a myriad of web-based enrichment and educational tools.
Not surprisingly, according to some studies, the greatest positive economic impact is likely to be realized in rural underserved communities. This assertion is quite logical when one considers population density, income and education demographics, and the current economy in rural America. Rural America, simply put, has the most room for economic growth.
Across the country, municipalities are working on building reliable broadband in their area so their communities can be competitive in the modern economy. Whether they are looking to the FCC for help or turning to their local ISPs for partnerships, municipalities are still taking on an extremely costly and complicated project.
With thousands, if not millions of dollars being invested, municipalities need to consider the longevity of the Internet medium they choose. Whether you are an ISP, a municipality, when it comes to building fiber infrastructure there are challenges, and concerns.
Here are five to be sure to consider:. There are two ways to build fiber infrastructure, and each come with their own challenges to consider:. Building new poles is not just an issue of cost, which is very high, but geography and local policy.
Once you find that perfect spot, local regulation is going to determine whether or not you can actually build it there. Even municipalities working to install community networks have to consider existing utility infrastructure when putting up new poles.
The upside of installing or owning poles is that they can be leased out in the future. Buried cables can be dangerous if not properly labeled.
No matter which technique is chosen there are going to be some recurring challenges and concerns. Not checking can be life-threatening if someone ends up accidentally digging up anything with high voltage.
Dig Safe is a nonprofit clearinghouse that works with utility service to ensure the safety of a dig site. Before anyone digs, they should go to the Dig Safe website to understand the proper procedure. Equipment cost is another consideration. Special machinery has to be used to pull up existing conduit, and plow, trench or bore fiber into the ground. Submarine trenching can be an especially costly, but necessary, project to undertake. The last thing to consider is how much of a commotion digging is actually going to cause.
How Fast Is Fiber? Are there fiber providers in your area? Enter your zip code below to find out! See Your Providers. How fast does fiber get things done? The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 3 1. Pro tip: Data storage is typically measured in bytes B , while internet speeds are usually measured in bits b. But, like, how fast does it go? What about other lightspeed signals?
Is fiber fast in any other ways? Fiber signals travel farther Signals sent over fiber-optic cables can travel farther than those transmitted over other connections without degrading. To see if there are any fiber providers in your area, enter your zip code below.
Accessed January 18, Francesco Poletti, et al. Jack H. Accessed August 1, Author - Peter Christiansen Peter Christiansen writes about satellite internet, rural connectivity, livestreaming, and parental controls for HighSpeedInternet.
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