Fiber-optic internet technology provides a faster and more reliable connection than cable and DSL, and it’s rapidly growing in availability and popularity. Still, you might be wondering if it’s just “the next big thing” or if it’s worth believing the hype. In this article, we’ll break down some of the myths and misconceptions around fiber internet.
Myth 1: Fiber internet is expensive
One of the myths about fiber-optic internet is that it’s financially out of reach. That may have once been true, but today fiber providers have competitive plans — sometimes even less expensive than cable.
What’s more, you can use fiber internet to stream shows and movies, which may allow you to “cut the cord,” and disconnect cable for good — thereby eliminating an entire bill. Your monthly fiber internet bill could be well under $100, and you could just pay for the streaming services you want and need.
Read more: Stream smart: how to cut the cord and keep your shows.
Fiber is also a long-term investment. Sometimes touted as “future-proof,” fiber internet has durability and longevity designed for a post-cable future. With equally fast upload and download speeds, you’ll enjoy smoother connectivity with fewer slowdowns and less lag. As our futures go more online — from work to healthcare to shopping to all forms of entertainment — a fast connection that has the capacity for all your household’s devices will be worth the price of admission.
Myth 2: Fiber-optic cables are fragile
Fiber-optic cables are made from flexible glass fibers and encased in tubing to withstand environmental stress. While they are somewhat delicate, their protective casing keeps them safe — and due to their glass nature, they are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference or harsh environmental conditions like extreme temperatures and moisture. Fiber is overall less vulnerable than copper to wear and tear and vandalism. If you install fiber and some kind of damage does happen, your internet service provider should be able to fix it quickly.
Myth 3: Fiber internet is never going to get here
While fiber internet deployment is ongoing and not available everywhere yet, its availability is expanding rapidly. While it can be frustrating to wait, just because it hasn’t arrived yet doesn’t mean it’s never going to get to you.
Installing fiber in a city or town is no small feat. It involves an investment, permitting and construction, which can take years. Fiber lines are often connected to utility poles along with telephone wires, but if that’s not an option, then the fiber has to be laid underground.
Many internet service providers, including Ziply Fiber, are investing heavily in fiber infrastructure to reach more homes and businesses. Checking availability in your area might pleasantly surprise you — fiber internet is becoming accessible to more people every day, bringing the benefits of high-speed, reliable internet to a wider audience.
Read more: When will fiber internet be in my area?
Myth 4: Fiber internet is just another gimmick
In a world full of empty promises and bad deals, a new form of internet can seem like another ploy to get you to spend money on something that doesn’t work. And if your internet already works just fine, why fix it?
Fiber internet is an exception to this “rule.” Fiber internet has been established as a highly reliable technology that isn’t subject to slowdowns or disruptions. Because fiber uses dedicated connections — that is, your internet connection won’t be bound up with everyone else in your neighborhood, which can slow it down — your connection will be consistently speedy. Fiber internet also offers significantly faster speeds than traditional providers. Ziply Fiber’s 1, 2 and 5 Gig speed plans blow traditional cable plans out of the water. The low latency (around 1 ms) associated with these plans means ultra-smooth streaming and gaming. Goodbye, buffering wheels.
Who’s to say some other technology won’t come around tomorrow and make fiber a waste of time and money? Well, we’re not in the business of predicting the future, but given the information we have, fiber is the best tool on the market, and it’s poised to carry us into the future quite a long way. Look at it this way: for over 100 years, the best telecommunications technology was copper. Copper took us from the first transatlantic cable to cable TV and internet today. Fiber’s history is just beginning, and it’s extremely promising.
Myth 5: All internet services are essentially the same
Fiber internet is superior to traditional copper-based connections in several key areas. It offers significantly higher speeds, greater bandwidth, and lower latency. Unlike DSL or cable internet, fiber connections are less prone to slowdowns during peak usage times. This means you get consistent, high-quality internet performance whether you’re streaming in 4K, participating in video conferences or enjoying online gaming.
Truth: the future is fiber
Don’t let myths hold you back from experiencing the advantages of fiber internet. If fiber is available to your area, now’s the time to lean into the benefits of faster speeds and superior reliability that will keep all your household devices connected now and into the future.
Learn more about Ziply Fiber’s consumer-friendly plans starting at $20/month and going up to a whopping 50 Gig speed.
