4 Business Benefits of Fiber Internet

Businesses move quickly to adapt to ever-changing market dynamics. Technology, specifically internet connectivity, means companies can reach customers and automate operations like clockwork. The faster and more reliable a business internet connection is, the better.

To date, fiber internet service offers businesses the fastest speeds. Fiber optics can reach higher speeds than other internet connections, such as cable. Currently, fiber speeds can be as fast as five gigs or 5Gbps. Most other types of internet service come with maximum speeds of 100Mbps.

 While not every company needs fiber’s top speeds and bandwidth capacities, the service still provides several advantages over other connection types. Fiber internet can boost a business’s cost-efficiency, productivity, and cybersecurity. Let’s examine each of these perks more closely.

What Makes Fiber Internet Different

 Fiber internet service stands out in four different ways: speed, capacity, reliability, and security. Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz invented the technology behind fiber internet while doing research. The trio discovered fiber optic wire could transmit way more information than copper wire.

 Fiber Internet’s History

 Fiber optic wires and cables were originally used to connect U.S. government computers in 1975. By the late 1970s, voice signals and phone calls were running through the first optical telecom system.

 Today, 43% of U.S. households have access to fiber internet providers. Fiber internet services now represent 20% of the market share. While cable internet service providers still hold 50% of the market, the percentage continues to decline. Other types of internet service that represent smaller pieces of the pie are also projected to shrink.

 Fixed wireless internet is expected to become more linked to fiber as 5G networks take over. Fiber backhaul is installed and connected between tower sites to build redundancy.

 The backhaul can also increase capacity and speed while ensuring calls go through when and if a tower is offline. Fiber backhaul installation is something Viaero is currently doing as part of a broader network upgrade initiative.  

Fiber Internet Speed and Capacity

 As previously mentioned, fiber’s range of available speeds is substantially higher than other types of internet service. But capacity or bandwidth is another area where fiber shines. Cable internet subscribers can attest to the fact that service capacity slows down when more people are using the network. These lags are usually localized according to neighborhood or area use.

 So, at peak usage times like after 5 pm, it may be more challenging to send large files or stream video content. This can impact businesses that operate during peak usage periods. However, fiber internet networks don’t have the same limitations as cable broadband connections.

 Fiber lines can handle volumes and surges in network activity that other internet services like cable broadband can’t. Businesses with fiber internet service won’t experience as many problems with latency and buffering. For companies that deal with large amounts of data and data transfers, robust network capacity can make or break productivity and service levels.

Reliability

 The second benefit of fiber internet is better reliability. Fiber lines aren’t as susceptible to severe weather events or unauthorized tampering. Because fiber lines are usually buried underground, severe weather doesn’t cause as much interference. Plus, it’s less likely someone will go to the trouble to damage or destroy buried infrastructure.

 Fiber wins in terms of other measures of reliability as well. For instance, fiber can deliver consistent internet service with 99.99% uptime. That’s a downtime occurrence rate of only 0.01%! Unlike cable internet, fiber network stands up to power surges and outages. Fiber optics do not need electricity to deliver service.   

Security     

 Because fiber internet sends data via light pulses, those transmissions are more secure. Essentially, it’s more challenging for hackers to intercept or tap into the signals since they’re moving so fast. Also, network administrators can usually catch intrusions more quickly If someone does try to hack into fiber lines.

 This can be a game changer for businesses concerned about data security and consumer privacy laws. Information security measures become more seamless and smoother to implement. That doesn’t mean a company can bypass other controls like firewalls and antimalware programs. However, the enhanced security of fiber internet service can provide an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.

Symmetrical Speeds

 With other types of internet service, download and upload speeds can vary. So, receiving large amounts of data or viewing HD videos may be easy tasks. They happen within seconds or minutes. But uploading a bigger file or sending information can turn into something laborious. And that’s because upload speeds are usually much lower than download speeds.

 However, fiber internet service delivers identical or symmetrical download and upload speeds. Businesses can boost their productivity since data transmissions go through at the same rate. Whether a company sends or receives information, it reaches the other side just as efficiently.  

Fiber for Business

 It’s a well-known fact that companies rely on internet connections to operate, deliver services, and bring in revenue. A business's productivity and quality can suffer without dependable, safe, and efficient internet service.

 Fiber networks provide added benefits, such as higher capacity, better reliability, enhanced security, and symmetrical speed. These built-in features of fiber can help businesses make strides toward improving output and service value.   

 Contact us to learn more about fiber internet availability and fiber internet access for your business.