The fastest type of internet currently available to traditional residential and commercial customers is fiber internet. Fiber internet utilizes fiber-optic cables to transfer data via pulses of light, providing residentials and commercial customers with gigabit speeds.
What Makes Fiber Internet So Fast?
Three factors are primarily responsible for fiber internet’s reputation for superior speed compared to other connectivity options:
- Data transmission
- Resilience to interference
- Bandwidth capability.
Data Transmission
Fiber internet transmits data over fiber optic cables that are filled with small glass or plastic wires. Pulses of light are pushed through the cables, which are covered in a protective substance to keep them from being compromised.
Because fiber optic connections rely on light transmissions, they can transfer information close to the speed of light. This creates a much faster internet connection and increases bandwidth capability.
Resilience to Interference
Interference in your connection is a key aspect that can compromise the quality of your internet connectivity. Internet types, such as cellular networks or satellite, are susceptible to electromagnetic and weather interference, whereas fiber internet is not.
This means there’s less risk of your connection being interrupted by environmental factors, which means you can continue to browse at high speeds regardless of weather (unless the cables themselves are damaged, which is rare).
Unlimited Bandwidth
Bandwidth is a measure of the maximum capacity for an internet type to transfer data in a given amount of time. Most internet connections have a set amount of bandwidth, and if too many devices are connected to the network, throttling and lag occur.
Fiber optic internet has superior bandwidth, and the average residential or commercial user is far less likely to experience throttling or lag based on their use compared to alternatives. Fiber internet is uniquely geared to handle multi-device connections and will maintain connection quality even if there’s a high volume of data being transferred across the network. This makes it extremely beneficial for gamers and streamers who heavily rely on the caliber of their connection.
What Can Affect Internet Speed?
When choosing the best internet package for you, there are multiple speed options to choose from. Several factors can affect what speeds you experience while browsing online, regardless of which package you select. Key factors include:
- Too Many Connected Devices: Having several devices connected to one internet source can sometimes cause “overcrowding” and could affect browsing speeds. This is because each device will be taking up a certain amount of bandwidth, and your internet connection may not be able to handle the totality of its use.
- Data Transfer Technology: Different data transfer technologies come with different inherent speeds. For example, fiber optic cables are the fastest data transfer medium, followed by cable and 5G.
- Location: Some internet types, like 5G, experience reduced speed if you are farther away from the connection tower. Proximity can play a role in the speed of your uploads and downloads online if you are connected to an internet source that has a variable rate.
Why Is Internet Speed Important?
Internet speed is important because it determines how well your internet connection can handle your online activities. It affects the efficiency of data transfer with multiple devices connected at any given time.
Faster speed means faster download rates. Faster download rates mean you can utilize more data. Being able to utilize more data means reliable internet connections that leave each user satisfied.
Your internet speed largely depends on the reliability of your data transfer source.
Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second or Mbps. The range of speed for different types of internet connections includes:
- Cable: Copper cables can transfer data up to 1.5Gbps
- Fiber: Fiber optic cables can transfer data up to 100Gbps
- 5G: 5G mobile internet has transfer speeds of 1Gbps
- Satellite: New satellite internet technology can reach up to 100 Mbps
- DSL: Digital subscriber line can reach transfer speeds of 10 Mbps
Exact speeds may vary by provider, but these are the ranges that are available for the different types of internet connections.
If you want to ensure that you have the maximum data available to you, regardless of how many devices are connected to your network, fiber internet is the way to go. It is the ideal choice for high-volume internet surfers, like gamers, households that stream content (especially multiple people watching different things on different devices) and companies who rely on cloud-based internet-sharing apps.
Get The Fastest Internet With Fiber
Ready to switch to the fastest internet on the market? Hunter Communications is here to help. We’re a residential internet provider focused on providing people in Oregon and parts of Northern California with the best connectivity options for their lifestyle. Contact us online to see if we service your address or to learn more about fiber internet.