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With more public and private investments in broadband internet, fiber-optic technology is becoming more accessible to residential communities throughout Oregon. 

For many neighborhoods, fiber internet is new.  This means that new infrastructure must be built, requiring construction and an intensive installation process.  In this blog, we will explain what you should expect during your fiber to the home (FTTH) installation process.

FTTH Installation Process

Because most neighborhoods haven’t had fiber to the home (FTTH) internet before, the process to wire a house for service can take up to four hours. 

Before beginning the installation process, the technician will meet with you to discuss where you want to place the internet equipment inside your home.  Once a location has been determined, the installer will run the fiber-optic line from the pole directly to your house.

To bring fiber into your home, they will drill a small hole through an exterior wall*.  Then, the technician will install your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and free Hunter Wi-Fi router.

While cable internet uses a modem, fiber internet uses an ONT which translates the data into a signal that is readable by ethernet cables, the router, and your devices.

Once everything is connected, the installer will program and test your equipment to ensure you are receiving the speeds you ordered.  

How does fiber internet work?

Fiber-optic cables are made out of glass strands thinner than a human hair and use light to transmit data.  Because information is transferred close to the speed of light, fiber is the fastest method of connection.  It is also capable of symmetrical speeds, higher bandwidth, and lower latency.

There are several types of fiber-optic internet, but not all are created equally.  At Hunter, we provide our customers with fiber to the home (FTTH), a completely fiber-optic connection.  Other forms of fiber internet like fiber to the neighborhood (FTTN) and fiber to the curb (FTTC) use copper to complete the final leg of service.

FTTN: Fiber to the Neighborhood

FTTN connections serve hundreds of homes in a large radius.  Also known as fiber to the node, this type of internet connection brings fiber to a central node in the neighborhood and uses copper to connect each home.  

With lower bandwidth, copper technology often requires throttling, the reduction of speeds during peak hours.  Because the fiber-optic cables are not connected directly to your house, the internet’s speed and reliability is often reduced.

FTTC: Fiber to the Curb

FTTC serves a handful of houses in a smaller radius.  Though fiber-optic cables carry the data most of the way, many of the advantages of fiber are lost in the last mile copper connection.

With copper, the service cannot offer all of the advantages of fiber internet.  Since copper can be affected by weather, temperature, and electrical interference, it is more susceptible to outages and lacks the reliability of fiber.

FTTH: Fiber to the Home

Also known as fiber to the premises (FTTP), this type of fiber-optic connection runs all the way into the home.  Because the FTTH internet connection is pure fiber, there is no loss in speed, reliability, or bandwidth in the last mile connection.

Fiber to the home forgets old technology like copper and moves toward the best speed and reliability using a complete fiber connection.  At Hunter, we provide FTTH internet because we believe that our customers should have access to the best internet technology available.

Hunter Communications is committed to providing FTTH internet at a price for life with no contracts, no data caps, and no router fees.

*This is included in the free basic installation.  If the lines must be run throughout the house, basement, attic, or fished through interior walls, extra installation fees may apply.