Fibre broadband is an important digital internet service offered by reputable internet service providers. Using this network, the internet connection you obtain can go a long way in making most of your digital activities simple and easy to accomplish. This is because, such internet networks are faster as compared to the traditional modes i.e., copper cables. Discussed here are all about fibre broadbands, their types, functioning and application.
What’s fibre broadband, and how it works?
Fibre broadband is a broadband connection that makes use of special glass fibre called “optic fibre” to supply the internet connection. Such optic fibres conduct data in the form of light, while standard copper cables make use of electrical signals.
Light signals travel across the optic fibre owing to TIR (total internal reflection). TIR is a kind of phenomenon where the light is reflected when travelling from one specific medium to another. Here, the light travels more slowly in the initial medium than the next for total internal reflection to take place, and it hits on the boundary of the 2 mediums at a particular angle.
What are the distinct kinds of fibre broadband available in the market today?
FTTP or FTTH
FTTH stands for Fibre To The Home, and FTTP is Fibre To The Premises. Both the terms are the same. Using this type of broadband, you get the internet via optical fibre directly to your premises or home. This kind of broadband is one of the fastest available in the market.
FTTC
The full form of FTTC is Fibre To The Curb. Here, the optic fibre from the internet service provider, i.e., ISP, may reach a pole or even a curb near your home. From here, you will get an internet connection via a coaxial cable. So, your connection would be partly traditional and partly on optic fibre.
FTTN
The full form of FTTN is Fibre To The Neighbourhood. Here, the optic fibre connects with the ISP and node in your neighbourhood. All of you in this neighbourhood may get a swift internet connection via a coaxial cable from this node. It is one of the slowest kinds of connection, as the speed of the internet is based on how far away you are from the node.
Why choose fibre broadband over wireless broadband?
Fibre optic broadband comes with several advantages over wireless broadband. The wireless signals traverse across the frequency bands. Such bands may overlap and lower the overall network performance. However, the light signals in the 2 separate optic fibres often never overlap. Thus, fibre broadband provides faster internet connection speeds.
On the contrary, signals in your wireless broadband may become weaker as they are absorbed by buildings, air, trees, and others. However, optical signals via fibre optics do not degrade, and thus you can use the same over long-range communication. Therefore, fibre optic internet connection is highly secure as compared to the wireless broadband. Note that in the case of wireless broadband, anyone may get the signal from wireless broadband, and there’s a chance of someone hacking.
Fibre broadbands – Application
You can use fibre broadband internet connection wherever you require high speed as well as reliable internet.
- Game streaming
Using a fibre broadband connection, you can stream high-quality video. Note that streaming games need low latency and faster downloads. Low latency means the response must be visible instantly on the screen, and hence fibre broadband makes this possible.
- Work from home
If you are part of the massive number of people who have shifted to remote working since the COVID-19 pandemic, then a fibre optic connection may work wonders for you. Note that even those working in the animation and multimedia domains can now easily log on and use their computer at home and work with ease using these connections.
- Telemedicine
By using high-quality fibre internet, you can consult the doctor of your choice remotely. This practice is known as telemedicine.
Fibre broadbands connection for business
Owing to the reliable high speed offered by fibre broadband, businesses can easily leverage the same in distinct ways –
- The high speed offered by fibre broadband can ameliorate the productivity of staff and employees, which may assist in delivering high-end services to business customers.
- Higher bandwidths tend to ameliorate the service quality being offered to the end customer. Also, employees can share a larger and higher number of files and perform high-quality video conferencing quite simply.
- Higher reliability ameliorates business operations by lowering downtime.
- Fibre optics offer low latency. This is necessary for remote access to various apps. Additionally, staff can collaborate effortlessly on projects because of the lowered lag.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Fibre optic broadband or any other variant of broadband—which is better?
Both are completely distinct concepts available in the internet space. Broadband refers to an internet connection with high bandwidth, while fibre is a specific method for delivering broadband internet. Although there are various methods for delivering broadband, including wireless, DSL, and cable, the fibre option is widely regarded as the most reliable and fastest. This type of network uses optical fibre, which has a glass core through which light signals travel. In contrast, DSL broadband relies on a copper cable to transmit electrical signals, while wireless broadband uses radio waves for communication.
What is a fibre broadband connection?
Fibre broadband connection is a quick broadband technology delivered via optic fibre. Such optic fibres have glass cores through which light signals pass. Three kinds of fibre broadband include FTTN (fibre to the node), FTTC (fibre to the cabinet), and FTTP (fibre to the premises). In FTTP, the fibre optic cables directly offer an internet connection to your home. In FTTC, an internet connection is offered via optic fibres to a specific point near your home. FTTN (fibre to the node) is a technology in which optic cables are brought to a node in your neighbourhood and the remaining connection is provided through coaxial cable.
