Fiber-Optic Internet Installation Guide
Fiber optic internet is fast becoming the gold standard for high-speed, dependable internet. Whether you’re a casual user streaming videos or a business relying on seamless connectivity for operations, understanding the fundamentals of fiber optic technology can allow you to make the most out of your internet experience.
Whether you are researching for the first time or want to upgrade your internet service, it’s important to understand how fiber optic technology works. In this guide, we’ll explore what fiber optic internet is, what the fiber internet installation process entails, potential costs, and how to determine if it’s available in your area. We’ll also consider the advantages of fiber optic internet over traditional broadband connections, such as its unparalleled speed and reliability, low latency, and ability to handle vast amounts of data without degradation.
How Fiber Optic Internet Works
Fiber optic internet sends data via light signals, or pulses, traveling through extremely thin fibers such as glass or plastic strands. These extremely fine strands can transfer data over long distances without signal-degradation. While standard internet is delivered through copper wires, fiber optic solutions can send more data much further and these data packets travel faster. At the receiving end, the light pulses are converted back into data, allowing the recipient to make use of internet services. This makes fiber optic internet a revolutionary development in internet connectivity, with much higher bandwidth and significantly more reliability than previous generations.
How is Fiber Optic Internet Installed in My Home?
Before being installed, fiber optic cables require the work of specialized technicians trained in handling delicate optic cables. It is also a multi-step process and the exact steps may vary depending on your internet service provider and local infrastructure. Here’s what you can expect from fiber internet installation:
- Initial Assessment: The fiber installation process begins with a thorough assessment of the area’s infrastructure. Before installation begins, the technician will assess your property and determine the path of the fiber optic cables, identifying any challenges and obstacles, and planning accordingly. Residents are often informed in advance about the schedule for fiber internet installation in their neighborhood, and prior to fiber internet installation, property owners need to grant access to utility workers for laying down cables. In fact, fiber internet installation typically involves digging trenches to lay down the fiber optic cables securely. It’s always a good idea that service providers keep proper documentation during fiber internet installation to track the location of cables and facilitate maintenance in the future.
- Installation of Fiber Optic Cables: Once the assessment is complete, installing fiber internet involves running the cables along existing infrastructure (utility poles), or using existing conduits – depending on the infrastructure available locally. Bear in mind that weather conditions can sometimes delay how is fiber internet installed due to the sensitivity of the equipment involved.
- Installation of the Optical Network Terminal (ONT): Once the cables are installed, the technician then installs the optical network terminal inside your home, which is what the fiber optic cable of the internet will plug into. This device serves as the interface between the fiber optic cable and your home network. The ONT converts the light signals from the fiber optic cable into electrical signals that your devices can use to access the internet.
- Connection Setup: After the ONT is installed, the technician will connect it to your home network, using either an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. The technician will then ensure that all devices are configured properly and able to access the internet via the fiber optic connection.
- Testing and Activation: After fiber internet installation, the technician conducts thorough tests to verify the stability and speed of the internet fiber connection. The technician ensures everything is working smoothly, and hopefully, give the OK that you can enjoy your blazing-fast internet speeds.
There are a number of variables involved in fiber internet installation, such as weather and existing infrastructure. These variables can impact the timeline and success of the installation process, requiring careful planning and coordination to ensure smooth deployment. Precision is paramount during the fiber internet installation process to ensure optimal network performance.
Is Fiber Internet Expensive to Install?
The installation price of fiber optic internet depends on the location of your home or business, the amount of infrastructure that has been laid down around your property and, of course, the service provider you go with. When more work is needed on the infrastructure, the company installing the fiber-optic internet in your home may charge more than the expense associated with a standard DSL or cable installation. The price may seem higher than alternatives in the short term, but you should consider the advantages that fiber optic connection provides, such as speed, reliability, and future-proof internet access.
Some internet service providers (ISPs) have installation promotions that waive certain fees or discount the cost of equipment, and there may be community organizations or municipalities who invest in fiber optic infrastructure to bring high-speed internet access to previously underserved areas, reducing cost for the residents.
How Can I Get Fiber Internet?
Fiber internet installation may entail upgrading existing hardware to support the faster speeds offered by fiber optics, so the first step to getting connected to fiber optic internet is to find out whether your area has access to fiber infrastructure. Residents are often informed in advance about the schedule for fiber installation in their neighborhood which is a convenience provided by internet providers. If you’ve been waiting for service but haven’t heard about any upgrades in your area, you might be able to find this information by calling your local internet service providers or using an online search tool that checks for fiber optic availability based on your address details. It’s important to note that fiber optic infrastructure may be more common in urban and suburban areas than in rural locations. If fiber infrastructure is available in your area, you can reach out to those fiber providers to find out if they offer service at your address, how you can schedule an installation, and what the costs of installation and service would be.
You’ll likely want to contact a few different fiber internet installation providers to make sure you have a good idea of what’s available before selecting one that meets your needs and budget.
Do I Need a Modem for Fiber Internet?
Unlike traditional internet connections which use a modem, fiber optic internet uses an optical network terminal (ONT). The ONT is similar to a modem, as it converts the optical signals from the fiber optic cable into electrical signals that your devices can work with. That said, some fiber optic internet providers may also offer a modem/router combo device if you’d prefer to have everything in one box.
If you’re doing the work of setting up your fiber optic internet service yourself, you’ll receive equipment such as the ONT plus anything else you may need for the devices in your home from your fiber optic internet provider. By doing the fiber internet installation yourself using their kit, you can generally save on costly in-home installation costs.
Conclusion
If you want to upgrade your internet service, consider fiber optic internet due to its ultra-speed, reliability, and increased connectivity. While fiber internet installation may entail upgrading existing hardware to support the higher speeds offered by fiber optics, it is certainly worth the investment.
Once you understand the installation process, the costs involved, and the various factors to consider, you can decide whether fiber optic internet is right for you. Fiber optic internet is indeed the future for improved internet connection with faster speeds, reliable connection and upgradeable technology to enable everyone to surf the internet quickly and comfortably. If you are considering fiber optic in your home, contact the experts at 24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom. We build fiber optic smart communities from the ground up. With dedicated and committed local service, we make technology work.