The State of Broadband: The Benefits of Fiber Optic

According to statistics conducted by Internet World Stats, the penetration rate of internet all throughout the world is 34.3 percent. From 2000 to 2012, the growth recorded reached 566.4 percent.
A research made by K. G. Coffman and A. M. Odlyzko on 2001 says, “The Internet is the main cause of the recent explosion of activity in optical fiber telecommunications. The high growth rates observed on the Internet, and the popular perception that growth rates were even higher, led to an upsurge in research, development, and investment in telecommunications.”
fibre-optics


The gain in internet usage taps the interests of telecommunication providers to enhance internet connectivity. Copper wires were upgraded to Fiber optic cables which is one of today’s fastest-growing transmission mediums, among which includes horizontal, backbone, and even desktop applications.
Listed below are the many benefits of Fiber Optics:


Greater Bandwidth

Compared to copper, Fiber Optics provides users with better performance at up 10 Gbps. It can carry more information as well. The fiber speed, though, will largely depend on the type of cable used. Users can choose from two types: single-mode cables and micron multimode cables. Single-mode cables can reach far greater speeds than a 62.5- or 50-micron multitude cable.

A More Reliable Connection

Fiber provides extremely reliable data transmission. It’s completely immune to many problems common in the use of copper cables. With fiber optics, you can still use the cables even when submerged in water. You don’t have to worry about your broadband connection failing when the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse—because these cables have been designed to be less susceptible to temperature fluctuations.

The core, which serves as its insulator, is made of glass that’s why electric current cannot flow through. It’s also resistant to crosstalk, electrometric interference, and radio-frequency interference, along with impedance problems, and a lot more. You’ll experience less downtime when you finally resort to using fiber optics for your broadband connection.

Low Attenuation

Fiber optic signals make it possible for the data to move at higher speeds and along greater distances. It’s made of light that ensures reliable transmission with signal loss that’s minimal to none.

Low Cost

Installation price for fiber runs higher to copper, yes. But it may actually be less expensive in the long run. The installation process should be done by a professional and is far different from how the copper is fixed. Fiber signals need less boosting than copper, yet the cable is still able to perform better. Fiber hardware, cables and other components are available at low cost and even less than that to maintain. You also don’t need to spend much on hardware because there aren’t a lot you’ll need.

Space-saver

Fiber is lightweight but more durable than copper cable. The pulling specifications is 10 times greater than copper. Fiber optics, in addition, are thinner than copper wires so you can bundle more into a given-diameter cable, saving you cable and space all at the same time. Because of its thin width, it’s easier to handle, and takes up much less space in cable ducts, allowing for more space to be used if necessary.

Secure

Instead of requiring too many wiring closets and asking you to use different equipment throughout the building, fiber networks allow all electronics as well as hardware to be placed in one central location. Fiber optics are notoriously difficult to tap and do not radiate signals. It can be easily monitored when the cable is tapped. The entire system will fail if someone tries to tap it because the cable leaks light.

To Conclude: Why Fiber Optics?

Though it is quite expensive to switch from copper to fiber optics, there are media converters that make migration easier—these are available in the market at very low costs. Fiber is often offered in many broadband plan upgrades or bundled with mobile devices.
Even other services providers, like cable TVs and telephone companies, has already upgraded to this technology. More channels come through the subscriber’s cable into the cable TV box and more phone lines go over the same cable with the handy assistance of fiber optics.

About the author
Gilbert Bermudez is a regular contributor for CompareHero, a Malaysian based free online comparison website that educates consumers on how to be wise about technology and saving. 

References

http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_97/journal/vol4/sm27/adv.html
http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic4.htm

The State of Broadband: The Benefits of Fiber Optic The State of Broadband: The Benefits of Fiber Optic Reviewed by Unknown on 2/03/2014 Rating: 5

1 comment:

  1. Broadband Internet has evolved from copper and cable based solutions, to the point where fiber optic Internet connectivity is a reality, even for small to medium sized businesses.


    Matthew@Maximum-technology

    ReplyDelete

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