Fiber Optic Internet Guide
Shop Fiber Optic Internet Guide plans, pricing and deals in your area.
Shop Fiber Optic Internet Guide plans, pricing and deals in your area.
Fiber Optic internet is one of the fastest types of internet available today, but it’s also one of the hardest internet types to find across the United States. Fiber Optic internet only has 25% coverage nationwide. Some large cities like Dallas, Texas have around 61% of coverage while other major urban centers like Chicago, have much less coverage, only around 21%. Before you decide on Fiber Optic as your preferred internet, you’ll need to research whether it’s available in your area.
Provider | Max Download Speed Up To | |
---|---|---|
AT&T | 300–5000 Mbps | View Plans |
CenturyLink | 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
Charter Spectrum | 300-1000 Mbps | View Plans |
CenturyLink | 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
Frontier | 500–5000 Mbps | View Plans |
Windstream | 100 Mbps or higher | View Plans |
Comcast | 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
Cox | 10-940 Mbps | View Plans |
WOW | Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
EarthLink | Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
Cable One/Sparklight | Up to 100 Mbps | View Plans |
Fiber Optic or Fiber internet leverages cables crafted from thin glass or plastic fibers to transfer data as light signals. Fiber optic cables are crafted to transmit data in the form of 0s and 1s (binary) via light pulses, with a transmitter at one end of the fiber. Fiber cables send the binary pulses very quickly over long distances. In fact, a single pulse can travel 60 miles before the signal starts to fade.
Compared to DSL and Cable Internet, Fiber Optic networks can easily support incredibly fast speeds. With that said, it’s also one of the hardest internet types to actually find. Depending on where you live, you may have access to only certain kinds of Fiber internet connections like FTTN, FTTH, and FTTC networks.
Although Fiber internet can be incredibly fast, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. According to the FCC, only around 33% of Americans have access to fiber internet connections. Besides availability, fiber internet has a few other potential issues in addition to its many positive attributes.
Some of the top internet Fiber internet providers include Fiber from Google, Verizon, and AT&T. By coverage availability, the top providers of Fiber Optic internet include Verizon Fios, EarthLink Fiber, AT&T Fiber, Frontier Communications, and CenturyLink Fiber.
You can use your zip code for a list of all the providers with Fiber Optic options in your local area. In most cases, you’ll only find fiber in larger metro areas. In rural areas, you’re more likely to see Satellite, DSL, and Cable internet options instead. Google Fiber is only available in select American cities, with no plans for expansion right now. But AT&T’s Fiber footprint is still rapidly expanding—so far, it’s available in 21 states. As old internet cabling systems age out of their usefulness, many internet service providers are switching over to Fiber Optic because of its longer-lived cabling and consistency. In the coming years, you’ll likely see expanding Fiber Optic internet network options.
Fiber internet providers typically offer internet speeds of 1,000-2,000 Mbps. If you need a reference for that number, streaming a 4K uses just 25 Mbps. Fiber is quick enough to support several connected devices like smart devices, computers, smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, streaming devices, and anything else you can connect to it.
Fiber Optic is an incredibly fast internet connection with high bandwidth capabilities, so it’s particularly useful for home networks with lots of users or for those who work with bandwidth-heavy technology.
Because of its limited availability, you’ll have to research providers in your area to find out whether or not Fiber is offered. Big cities with a lot of existing network infrastructure are more likely to have Fiber Optic internet.
Fiber internet cost ranges depending on the provider. You can find Fiber Optic internet providers with ranges as low as $29.99 per month to $99.99 a month.