You've probably heard about fiber internet by now; it's often touted as the "gold standard" of broadband by policymakers, experts and internet users alike. Plus, the Fiber Broadband Association estimates that a little over 76 million homes have made the switch to a fiber internet connection, representing a growth of 13% in the past year.
If you've ever struggled with slow speeds or outages while using cable, 5G, satellite or (God forbid) DSL internet, you've probably considered switching internet providers for a faster, more cost-efficient setup. So, should you jump on the bandwagon and make the switch to fiber?
The answer is complicated and depends primarily on what internet providers you can get at your address. Of all the ways to get online, a fiber internet connection is the fastest, by far, and has significantly raised the bar for other internet connection types in terms of speed and reliability. But speeds alone won't automatically make fiber the best option for every household. While fiber may be the fastest internet connection type, it's one of the least available nationwide, and it's rarely deployed in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
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Plus, according to the latest data from OpenVault, most households don't exceed an average of 564 megabits per second in download speeds. So, while you could be due for a speed tier update, especially if you have remote workers or gamers in the house, you may not need the 1,000Mbps speeds often heavily promoted by some fiber providers. Other considerations like prices, availability and fees will ultimately determine fiber's efficiency for your home internet needs and budget.
Still, fiber internet is pretty marvelous. Unlike other internet connection types, fiber-optic internet relies on the speed of light to transmit data, making it incredibly energy-efficient and able to deliver symmetrical download and upload speeds -- a luxury other internet connection types have yet to offer. Not to mention, fiber internet is so reliable that once it's installed, it'll last for a very long time.
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"When you put in fiber, you're putting in the critical infrastructure for the next century," Gary Bolton, president of the FBA told CNET. "This passive optical network will last a century."
We're still getting acquainted with all the possibilities of the technology, but it's already had a tremendous impact on the way we communicate and use the internet.
Fiber internet is a connection that you'll find CNET recommending again and again, provided it's available to you at a competitive price. Let's explore what makes this internet connection such a reliable method of getting online.
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