If your internet isn’t doing the job, you should consider switching to fibre internet. Read on to learn the top benefits of fiber internet.
Fiber internet is something that we all have heard of but we may not totally understand what it is. And if you don’t know what it is, you probably don’t know how it is better than more standard methods of accessing the internet.
A historic problem for businesses is their reluctance to change and update their technology as it may seem costly and even confusing.
When this occurs, older companies tend to get left behind as more up-to-date corporations take the leap to more modern tech. Are you curious if fibre optic internet could be a boon for your business? Read on, and we’ll walk you through fiber internet’s biggest benefits and why you should consider using it in your office.
Fiber is Faster
It is pretty much agreed universally that fiber optic internet is faster than your standard copper internet connections. Those copper wire connections were originally intended just to transmit voice information. That makes it not ideal for carrying large files.
Business fiber internet, on the other hand, works by transmitting light via tiny strands of glass or plastic. That makes it much better suited for sending and receiving large data. Click here to see an illustration of how fiber connections work.
Plus, if your office is experiencing a high demand for internet access, fibre internet should not be affected by this. It should operate normally. This is much different than DSL internet which will slow down and can decrease productivity.
Bandwidth
You can greatly increase your bandwidth potential by investing in fibre optic internet. TDM technology, as well as copper wire infrastructure, are severely limited in nature.
As previously stated, copper connections were originally meant for voice call transmissions. Because of this, the bandwidth demand wasn’t particularly high.
Common business activities that take up significant bandwidth include web conferencing, file sharing, SIP trunking, steaming high definition videos, and using cloud applications.
If your employees are noticing delays, slow speeds, and pixelated video quality than they are experiencing classic signs of low bandwidth availability.
Signs of low bandwidth availability can include slow speeds, delays, and pixelated video quality.
Signal Strength
One of the major advantages of fibre optic internet over copper cable links is the distance it can travel. Copper connections are limited to a distance of 328 ft in order to maintain optimal signal strength. Signal strength degrades over distance. But copper connections degrade far more quickly than their fiber counterparts.
Compare that copper limit to fiber cables which can run up to almost 25 miles before signal degradation. This gives them superior signal strength while using less cable.
Connections strength differences like these really do matter. Especially when you have employees who are a significant distance away from the telecom room.
Cloud Access
From data storage to CRM (customer relationship management) tools, the cloud is becoming an increasingly important tool for businesses around the world. In fact, 77% of businesses are using the cloud in some capacity.
To be clear, fiber optic internet has higher bandwidth capabilities and faster speed than standard connections. This means workers will have faster access to cloud apps and data.
Fiber is More Physically Durable
When looking at its physical characteristics, copper is a soft metal that conducts heat. This not only means that older cables are more prone to breaking down but they are also literal fire hazards.
Fiber lines are much more resistant and durable. This is helped by the fact that they are smaller than copper wires. To provide an example, copper can withstand a pressure of around 25 lbs before experiencing damage. Fiber lines can handle between 100 and 200 lbs before signs of damage occur.
Reliability
When your office is using copper wired internet, you can experience outages for a variety of reasons. Examples for lost internet connection include extreme weather conditions, moisture, and temperature changes. Not to mention how copper deteriorates much quicker than fiber.
It can also experience interference from radio and electronic signals. Plus, all copper wires go back to the central office of the telephone company where disconnections can happen. Fibre is usually independent of the telephone company and won’t experience copper’s typical interruptions.
Security
A big difference between fiber and copper is that fibre does not transmit electricity. This means that it does not radiate signals and thus is nearly impossible to tap. Compare that to copper which does use electricity and is far more susceptible to being tapped.
Another great benefit of fiber is that a variety of monitoring techniques can quickly detect a damaged connection. Such techniques include monitoring the transmission of a pilot signal as well as monitoring the actual transmission of power. These sophisticated and powerful techniques cannot be replicated for copper outages.
Cost
In terms of upfront costs, fiber is generally more expensive than alternative options. But its upfront costs are continuously getting cheaper. Also, we must take into account the cost of the wiring closet required for most copper networks. Consider the prices within the wiring closet too. These contain costs for data ground, conditions UPS power, HAVC, and also general floor space.
These unavoidable costs will often add up to be more expensive than a centralised fiber architecture. Plus, the fiber option is going to take up a lot less space, which is often crucial in offices.
Using Fiber Internet for Your Business
After looking at the information above, it is clear that fibre internet is far superior to the standard copper connection. Keep this in mind next time your office’s executive discuss how to best update the business. Consider pointing out the many benefits that this new technology brings.
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