Fiber Internet is the most advanced and reliable Internet connection on the market. Learn how Fiber Internet is installed and how to get it in your home.
As our reliance on the Internet grows, so has our need for fast, dependable Internet service. And while most people are familiar with DSL and Cable, Fiber-Optic service is a newer option that has become increasingly available these last few years.
If you're interested in Fiber Internet, you may be wondering how to get it, what the installation process is like, and how much installation might cost. In this blog post, we will address these questions and provide information to help you learn more about one of the fastest Internet options available today!
If you're considering upgrading to Fiber Internet, you might be wondering how it's installed. Since it's also a form of Internet service, the process must be similar to Cable — right?
The short answer is yes. DSL, Cable Internet, Fiber — they all use underground cables to transmit data; the biggest difference lies in how they use them, though, not in what they use to do it. The traditional cable Internet we're most familiar with relies on coaxial, copper-cored cables initially set to provide Cable television service to homes. This Internet relies on electrical signals transmitted along the lines and has been around for a while. Fiber-Optic Internet, however, uses thin strands of glass bundled together to share data using light. This process was created with the Internet in mind and, thus, is consistently faster, more reliable, and more secure than traditional copper cables.
Because of this, though, Fiber Internet requires installing new infrastructure to function. Where DSL and Cable utilize existing lines, Fiber does not, so to use and access Fiber Internet, these lines have to be installed near the intended service area.
For providers, Fiber Internet can be expensive to install. Where Cable Internet can leverage the existing infrastructure of coaxial cables used initially for telephone and television, Fiber Internet is new and requires a unique network of Fiber-Optic cables to be established before the system can function. Although providers can install Fiber where Cable lines currently run, be it over poles or underground, the development costs and installation of the network make providing the service expensive. Back in 2013, Goldman Sachs estimated it would cost Google $140 billion to cover the entire country in Google Fiber, a cost that has all but certainly increased in the decade since.
When providers install Fiber in metropolitan areas, they can make back installation costs quickly, but in rural areas where homes are spread out, it can be a tricky proposition to sell Internet providers on the cost of taking this on. Fiber cable installation can cost tens of thousands of dollars per mile, so running it through these areas with a limited customer base is a low priority for some providers.
For consumers, however, the installation process and cost associated with Fiber are similar to Cable. A technician will come to your home, set you up with the necessary equipment, ensure everything is working correctly, and help you connect to the Internet. While there is usually an installation fee, many ISPs offer free installation or waive the fee for new customers to make the cost of accessing Fiber as low as possible.
At Glo Fiber, we believe that everyone deserves access to reliable and cost-effective telecommunication services, regardless of their location. We understand that Internet access is essential in today's world, which is why we are committed to providing non-urban communities with access to reliable Internet services.
To get Fiber Internet installed in your home, the first step is to check its availability in your area. This can sometimes be challenging, but with Glo Fiber, it's easy! All you need to do is click the "Sign Up" button on any of our web pages, enter your address, and we'll instantly tell you if our service is available near you. If Fiber service is available, you can schedule an appointment for installation, which is a quick and straightforward process. A technician will install an optical network terminal (ONT) outside your home, run a Fiber-Optic cable from the ONT to your router, and configure it to work with your Internet plan.
If Fiber service is not yet available in your area, don't worry! We may be coming to your neighborhood soon. Please get in touch with us by phone, email, or in person to let us know where you would like to see our Fiber service next, and we'll do our best to make it happen. Glo Fiber is committed to making reliable and affordable Internet access available to everyone, so we are continuously working on expanding our coverage areas.
Unlike Cable Internet, you don't need a modem for Fiber Internet. Instead, you will need an ONT, a router, and an Ethernet cable, all of which will be provided and set up by your technician during installation. The ONT serves a similar function to the modem you may be used to with a Cable plan and provides the same role in the service equation.
While not as ubiquitous or widely available as Cable or DSL, Fiber-Optic Internet service is more available today than ever before. And though installation costs are high for providers, making it challenging to roll out to everyone, the installation cost for consumers in service areas is relatively low. At Glo Fiber, we make it a point to offer fast plans at affordable prices. And with Fiber TV service and home phone options available too, we make staying connected as simple as possible. For more on Glo Fiber and how to get access to one of the fastest networks around, contact us today!