FAQs about Fiber Optics
What are Fiber Optics?
Fiber optics are long, thin strands of very pure glass about
the diameter of a human hair. They are arranged in
bundles called fiber optic cables and use light instead of
electricity to carry a signal. The light signals represent
data, which is capable of traveling at the speed of light.
Fiber vs Copper: What’s the difference?
Fiber technology is unique because it can carry massive
amounts of information, called bandwidth, over long
distances without degradation. Copper can also carry
high bandwidth, but only for a few hundred yards; after
which the signal begins to degrade and bandwidth narrows.
Connecting homes directly to fiber optic cables instead
of copper and coaxial cables enables homes and businesses
to receive a wider range of products and services. These
services include faster Broadband Internet speeds and
advanced Digital TV capabilities such as HD Access
(high-definition), being able to watch multiple channels at
once throughout the home, and being able to use a PVR
(Personal Video Recorder) to its full potential.
Having fiber in your home will actually increase the value
of your property! By gaining access to the fiber network
in your neighborhood, property and homes become more
desirable, increasing overall value.
How does it work?
Imagine yourself looking through a very long flexible
plastic pipe several miles long, with the inside surface of
the pipe coated with a perfect mirror. Several miles away
at the other end, a friend turns on a flashlight and shines
it into the pipe. Because the interior of the pipe is a
perfect mirror, the flashlight’s beam will reflect off the
sides of the pipe (even though the pipe may curve and
twist) you will see it at the other end. If your friend were
to turn the flashlight on and off in a Morse Code fashion,
your friend could communicate with you through the pipe.
This is the essence of a fiber optic cable.
What are the advantages?
There are many advantages to installing fiber optics.
Fiber does not conduct electricity, has virtually unlimited
bandwidth, is not affected by heat and cold, and has a
longer lifespan than copper or coax. The closer to the
home that fiber is pulled, the more bandwidth opportunity
there is for the end user.
Fiber has a higher bandwidth capacity and can easily
transmit traditional applications such as phone, broadband
internet, and digital tv with plenty of capacity left over for
other advanced applications in the future.
Data on a fiber optic cable can travel many miles in a
split second. This speed allows a more cost-effective
method to transmit large amounts of data to everyone’s
homes. Several miles of fiber optic cable can be made
cheaper than equivalent lengths of copper wire.
Voice and data transmissions via fiber optics are more
secure than when they are sent over conventional copper
cable connections.
Once installed, fiber is usually upgraded by changing the
electronics that creates the light pulses, and not by
replacing the cable itself. That’s why fiber networks are
said to be “futureproof”.
Need more information?
If you have more questions, please give us a call at
(715)237-2605, send us an e-mail to [email protected],
or stop by our Corporate Office located at 328 W Main St,
New Auburn, WI 54757.
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