How Does Fiber Internet Work?

If you have our fast fiber internet installed in your home, you may be curious about how it works. You’ve probably heard things about tiny strands of glass, waves of light, and secure connections. But how does it all fit together, and what is going on beneath the surface of your new high-speed internet connection?

In this blog, we’ll explain the basics of a fiber internet connection and how it keeps you online when you need it most.

What is Fiber?

Fiber optic internet is a system of cables that run either overhead or underground, following the path of your KREMC electric lines. These cables are made up of tiny glass fibers that carry data back and forth through pulses of light. This is why the speeds are so much faster than a regular copper wire connection.

While DSL provides a dedicated connection to the internet, it cannot support your network with the same speeds that a cable or fiber provider can. Cable has a greater capacity for high speeds, but the more devices accessing it, the slower the connection gets. With fiber, however, your whole family can stay on their devices without buffering issues because it’s capable of much more efficient speeds no matter how many people are using it.

The Language of Fiber

When the fiber cables receive data, they work to split it up into packets that they can transfer quickly and safely. The data works as fiber’s own personal language, communicating back and forth through light signals.

If there were nothing to protect this delicate interaction, there would be no way to direct it, but the fibers are made secure by something called cladding. Cladding acts as a shield to keep the light heading where it needs to go, safe and strong within its own filament. The data-carrying lights can travel incredibly fast, and all this information goes straight to a device similar to a modem called an optical network terminal (ONT). The ONT is like an interpreter – it works to receive the packaged data and translate it correctly to your device.

The fiber optic internet process may seem complex, but it’s more reliable than any other form of internet, and it will keep you connected through thick and thin.

How Fiber Gets to You

With Kosciusko Connect, you’re receiving “Fiber To The Home” internet, delivered straight to your ONT, which is connected to the router with a copper cable. This cable from Kosciusko Connect is a category 6 network cable, which means it is capable of speeds up to 10 gigabytes, setting it up to handle our fastest internet package of 1000 Mbps. There are a few different methods of fiber delivery, including:

• FTTN stands for “Fiber To The Node” or “Neighborhood” because it’s delivered to a wider area. FTTN typically sends the fibers to a location within a mile of your home, making it slower and more likely to be interrupted.
• FTTC, which stands for “Fiber To The Curb,” is a step up from FTTN because it sends its signals to the utility pole located outside your home and then transfers to a traditional copper cable to get to your residence itself. As mentioned before, a copper wire connection is not as reliable as fiber, so combining methods in this way slows down the Wi-Fi you’re getting from FTTC.
• FTTH, “Fiber To The Home” (also known as FTTP or “Fiber To The Premises”), is the fastest way to deliver fiber. Kosciusko Connect offers FTTH because it brings fiber to your door as a personal connection. Every residence gets its own connection because your network deserves a fast, interruption-free signal that will keep all your devices online.

Before and After Fiber Internet

If you’re curious about what the exact speed difference is with fiber, check this out!

Kosciusko Connect is designed for your home or business. If you haven’t switched to fiber yet, we can’t wait to hear from you! Getting connected to a personal, reliable fiber network makes all the difference when it comes to your time online. Whether you’re working from home, streaming TV, or helping your kids with online homework, Kosciusko Connect delivers irresistible high speeds for an affordable fiber internet cost.

Further reading:

What is the Difference Between Wi-Fi and Internet?

Five Signs You Need Better Internet

How to Set Up Your Router

Material for this blog was supplemented by https://www.hp.com.