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Fiber internet is a type of broadband internet service. It works by fiber-optic cables converting to light electrical signals, carrying data and sending the light through transparent glass fibers roughly the size of a human hair, according to the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. DSL transmits data over copper telephone lines and cable modems transmit data through coaxial cables. Fiber internet transmits data at speeds that are significantly faster than DSL or cable, usually by tens or possibly even hundreds of Mbps. Unfortunately, fiber-optic internet isn’t as widely available as other types of internet services.

Depending on where you live and what kind of fiber-optic internet service providers are operating in your area, you’ll have access to either FTTC (fiber to the curb), FTTH (fiber to the home), or FTTN (fiber to the node/neighbor). According to the Fiber Broadband Association, fiber-based broadband services were the second most common type of home internet connection in North America. There are roughly 1,172 fiber internet service providers in the US, according to DecisionData.org.

In this article, you’ll learn about what fiber internet is, whether you should consider it for your home, the top fiber internet service providers, the pros and cons of fiber internet, and the most frequently asked questions surrounding fiber-optic internet.

What is fiber internet?

Fiber internet is essentially a form of broadband internet that delivers speeds faster than DSL, cable, and other forms of broadband internet like wireless. To get fiber optic internet, you’ll need certain equipment, which will depend on the type of fiber internet available in your area.

FTTN uses fiber-optic cables to carry data to a “hub” near your home and then DSL or coaxial cables (also known as “hybrid fiber-coaxial network cables) might carry the data the remainder of the way. FTTC fiber optic internet can carry fiber optic signals further than FTTN connections and stop just short of your house – or at the “curb.” FTTH connections use fiber-optic cables that connect to your home. This type of connection provides the best reliability and speed.

Who needs fiber internet?

Fiber internet is great for gamers, remote workers, and multi-device households because it provides faster speeds than other connections and comes with increased reliability and bandwidth. According to Atlanta Tech, fiber optic internet comes with increased signal strength and eliminates latency issues that users tend to experience with cable or other kinds of internet, and offers improved security and increased resistance to interference.

Top fiber internet providers

There are plenty of fiber optic internet providers that offer services throughout the country. The providers below were selected based on provided speeds, pricing, availability, and satisfaction rating. Note that prices may vary depending on where you live.

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*This information is correct as of 12/29/2019

Remember that the availability of these providers and the prices may vary depending on your location within the US. You can use this zip code finder tool to see which services and providers are available in your location.

Fiber internet pros and cons

In this section, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of fiber-optic internet. While it may be suited for some residential internet customers, some people find that it’s not for them. Find out whether it’s right for your household.

Advantages of Using Fiber Internet

1. Speed – With fiber optic internet, you’ll get faster speeds than other kinds of internet, sometimes as high as 1,000 Mbps.
2. Value – Fiber optic internet can provide better overall value compared to other kinds of internet.
3. Reliability – Fiber optic internet tends to be much more reliable than other kinds of broadband connections with less interference.
4. Quality – Because fiber internet uses glass as a conductor, you’ll get improved quality and superior performance.

Disadvantages of Using Fiber Optic Internet

1. Availability – Fiber optic internet service isn’t as widely available as other types of broadband internet services.
2. Initial Cost – Fiber optic internet is often more expensive upfront than other types.
3. Installation – Because fiber internet is newer than other types of technology, installation might take longer if your home does not have the required setup.

FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we’ll provide answers to commonly asked questions about fiber internet service.

1. How can I find fiber internet providers in my area? To figure out whether certain fiber internet services are available in your area, use the fiber internet zip code tool.
2. What’s the average cost of fiber internet? The average cost of fiber internet is about $40 per month, but with certain gigabit plans, you could be charged upwards of $100 per month.
3. How do I know if I need fiber internet? If you want faster speeds than traditional internet service can provide, fiber internet might be right for you.
4. What is an average fiber internet speed? The average speed for fiber optic internet ranges from about 50 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, but it’ll depend on the provider and the plan you select. 
5. Does fiber internet require special equipment? Fiber internet will typically require a new modem, but internet providers usually allow you to rent or purchase the equipment with your internet plan.

Call now to learn about fiber internet providers near you

Now that you know exactly what fiber internet is and what it can do for you, as well as what it’ll cost, you can decide whether it’s right for you and whether you can reasonably afford it. Remember to use the zip code tool to find a fiber internet service provider in your area. If you need help, you can always call us and get all of your questions answered.

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Gaming these days is wildly popular. In fact, there are around 2.5 billion gamers in the world, utilizing games on smartphones, tablets, consoles, and PCs. This number shows that gaming is no longer about the Nintendo and Sega consoles of days gone by. Gaming now largely takes place online, thanks to advanced broadband capabilities. 

However, super-fast connections are not always needed to be an online gamer, as today’s internet can be surprisingly advanced across the world. This allows gamers to participate in multiplayer games with other gamers located in almost any country. Popular gaming consoles, such as PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, connect to servers for game play like this.  

Any gamer will tell you that, in order to have a successful gaming experience, you need strong bandwidth, network availability, high data storage levels, and a comfortable gaming setup. But one important aspect of a good gaming experience — one not usually known to the average internet user — is ping.

What Is Ping? 

Ping measures the length of time it takes your computer or gaming device to gather megabits of data from internet servers located anywhere in the world. Ping is the actual signal sent out to collect and transfer data from servers. This is usually a rapid process that doesn’t matter much to the average web surfer, but slow ping is a nemesis of gamers. 

So why does ping matter? Put simply, it determines whether your gaming experience is fun or frustrating. The other gamers you’re playing with depend on your ping, since it determines how fast you make your move in the game, and, in turn, how fast they make theirs. If you have good ping and your opponent doesn’t, you’re more likely to walk away with the win. 

Some popular video games that rely on fast internet connection include Fortnite, Overwatch, Rocket League, and League of Legends.

For instance, if you’re playing a battle royale game like Fortnite, your survival depends on your ability to attack other players and defend your own character. Slow ping could prevent you from seeing an opponent with enough time to take cover in a split second, meaning you lag a few frames behind and lose a life. And if your opponent’s ping is quicker than yours, it can be near-impossible to defend yourself against attacks. 

The term “ping” was coined during World War II, when submarines sent sonar signals to other submarines as a measurement of their distance from each other. This signal made an actual “ping” noise. 

So what is the ideal ping level? Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms), and the closer your ping is to zero, the better. A ping under 20 ms is very good, and just under 100 ms is average. If you experience anything above 150 ms, you will detect delays in your gaming experience, such as lagging or freezing. 

How to Measure Ping 

If you are experiencing lagging or slow system performance while gaming, bad ping might be the culprit. However, there are other issues that could contribute to your sluggish gaming experience.

Possible causes of bad ping: 

• Distance from the server 
• Your internet connection
• The number of hops you go through. A hop is the journey a data packet takes from one router to another. The hop count refers to the number of devices a data packet passes through on its way to its destination. Each hop can increase ping.

If you’ve ruled out these causes, you can then find out how much ping you actually have, and whether it’s good or bad. A speed test will tell you all you need to know about your ping. You can find various free speed tests on the internet, including the following: 

• Speedtest by Ookla
• SpeedSmart
• Speedof.me 

Depending on the speed test you choose, you can find out your ping, latency, upload speed, and download speed for any server you want to use, no matter where in the world it is located. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your speed test: 

• Reboot your hardware before starting the test.
• Connect your device to your router via Ethernet cable. This way, you know what the best possible ping looks like for your system. Ping is generally better when you are directly connected to your internet source. 
• Perform speed tests at different times of the day to see if this makes a difference. 
• Disconnect from your router and move to different areas of your home, especially to the location in which you usually game. Perform multiple speed tests in each of these areas to see where ping is the slowest and the fastest. 

Ways to Improve Ping

Strengthen Your Existing Signal

If you’re noticing high levels of ping, it might be helpful to strengthen your existing signal by switching to a wired Ethernet connection. Many gamers automatically do this to ensure they’re getting the best internet connection possible. However, this could be challenging if your gaming setup is in a different room than your internet router. 

If you can’t directly connect to your router, try to be as close to your router as possible. Ideally, your router should be alongside your gaming setup. You can also try the above speed tests in different areas of your home to see where your signal is strongest, then get as close to that as you can. 

Use a Powerline Adapter

A powerline adapter essentially extends Ethernet connectivity in your home without extra cables. Instead of relying on cables, a powerline adapter runs the signal through electrical wires in your home’s walls to a receiver you can connect to via Ethernet cable and, in some cases, Wi-Fi. 

This is basically as good as connecting your router directly to your gaming setup and creates a much faster connection with lower ping. Powerline adapters are ideal for gamers who are renting or don’t want to drill holes in their walls in order to run wires, and many gamers swear by them. 

A powerline adapter works like this: You plug one powerline adapter in near your router and connect it to your router using an Ethernet cord. Then you plug in a second powerline adapter near your gaming center and connect that to your computer or gaming console using an Ethernet cord. It’s worth noting that powerline adapters work best when plugged directly into a wall outlet instead of used with extension cords, circuit breakers, or surge protectors, as these can interrupt the signal.

So which powerline adapter should you get? Whichever one you choose, make sure it has enough mbps potential to send, receive, and download media and data you regularly use while gaming. Here are some of the best powerline adapters for gaming: 

• Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 Adapter Kit (PC Gamer)
• TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter (Lifewire)
• Extollo PowerLine LANSocket 1500 (Lifewire)

Upgrade Your Gaming Router 

If you’ve ruled out the issues above and your gaming device is still experiencing bad ping, it may be easiest to upgrade your router altogether. But with all the options out there, it’s important to do your research before committing to a purchase. 

Here are the best gaming routers, according to TechRadar:

• TP-Link Archer C5400 v2
• Asus RT-AC86U
• TP-Link Archer C5400X
• Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500
• Asus RT-AC5300
• Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600
• Asus RT-AC88U
• D-link DIR-885L/R

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Imagine settling in for the night to watch a few episodes of your favorite binge-worthy TV show when suddenly, your streaming service stops loading, and all you can do is watch the Wi-Fi go in and out, hoping the endless buffering stops soon. You might be gritting your teeth just thinking about it — you and 7 billion other people. The demand for Wi-Fi is now global. In a study, 75% of people reported that they’d be grumpier during a week without Wi-Fi than they would during a week without coffee. In fact, 60% of the same group said they couldn’t go without Wi-Fi for even one day!

When the Wi-Fi is down, our internet-dependent world quickly comes to a halt. Our emails stop loading, our virtual assistants stop responding, our tablets and laptops become useless, and our phones dip into our precious data supply. Approximately 71% of all our mobile communication occurs over wireless internet, according to Wi-Fi Alliance, and surveys say we like it that way. Wi-Fi is now the preferred medium for two-thirds of American consumers, partly because it yields significant savings on monthly phone bills. 

Wi-Fi connection problems happen to everyone, but they don’t have to be a regular occurrence. Knowing what to do when your connection fails will save you hours of frustration, so before you call your internet provider or give up on your relaxing evening, consider trying some of the simpler solutions to solve the problem first. You’d be surprised at how frequently a poor Wi-Fi connection is caused by physical obstacles like the configuration of your home, rather than something technological. 

As you troubleshoot the suggestions outlined below, you’re more likely to achieve maximum signal strength and enjoy fast Wi-Fi whenever you need it. 

Poor Wi-Fi Connection: Common Causes and Solutions 

When you stop to think about it, Wi-Fi is a modern miracle. This unseen force gives you speedy internet on demand without weaving intrusive and unsightly cords throughout your home or office. The only catch is that Wi-Fi networks rely on signal strength, which can be easily interrupted, resulting in irregular speeds. 

A Wi-Fi signal can be interrupted in many more ways than we might even realize. Here are some of the most common reasons behind slow, glitchy Wi-Fi and some practical solutions for fixing them so you can minimize internet downtime without having to contact your internet service provider (ISP).

Cause: Distance From the Router

Did you know that the farther away you are from your physical router, the weaker your internet connection will be? At 2.4GHz, moving 15 feet away from the router will result in a signal loss of approximately 6 dB — about 25% for every 15 feet. If you encounter Wi-Fi connection problems using the internet in the basement while the router is upstairs on the other side of the house, you can’t expect the internet to be as fast. The router signal has to travel a long distance and pass through furniture and walls, which causes it to weaken on its way to you. Some newer Wi-Fi products might have a slightly broader range, but you’ll experience maximum signal strength when you move closer to the source.

Solution

The easiest fix to this issue is to move closer to the router. As a rule of thumb, a Wi-Fi router can transmit a signal effectively up to 100 feet away, so plan to position the router within this distance from the important rooms in your house. Routers broadcast signals from all angles, so it isn’t wise to place it at the far end of the house where half of the signal will be absorbed by a wall. When considering where to place it, identify a location that is central to most of the rooms in your home or office. 

If this isn’t possible, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi extender or repeater. This kind of device will multiply and extend the strength of your signal in the rooms farthest away from the internet source. Click here to browse some of the best Amazon range extender options for your budget along with some pros and cons of each one from customers like you.

Cause: Router Location

Many homeowners have a tendency to shut their router away in a closet, on a bottom shelf, behind appliances, and underneath furniture so it’s not as visible or disruptive to their home design. If you hide your router, you’re also slowing down the signal by giving it more mediums to pass through before it reaches you. 

Solution

Don’t underestimate the importance of finding the perfect place for your router. While it might not look great out in the open, you should put it on a high shelf in a central location where there will be minimal signal interference. 

If you’ve struggled to find that sweet spot, you’re not the first one. Jason Cole, a London-based software engineer, grew sick of the trial and error associated with finding the perfect router spot. In order to eliminate the guesswork, he developed an inexpensive app for the public that mathematically identifies all the signal hotspots and dead spots on your property for easy and strategic router placement. 

The app is called WiFi Solver, and it’s available for Android and Chrome OS. Architecture of Radio is another mobile app that uses publicly available information from cell phone towers, local Wi-Fi networks, satellites, and your location to create a map of the signals in your area. This app is available to purchase on Google Play and the Apple Store. 

Cause: Limited Bandwidth and Congested Frequencies

Based on projections by Statista.com, there will be around 6.58 network-connected devices per person around the globe at some point in the year 2020. No wonder it has been forecasted that there will be approximately 24 billion devices using the internet by the end of 2020 — most of which will do so over a wireless network. Homes and offices are common places for people to use these devices simultaneously over Wi-Fi. This competition causes slow internet speeds and spreads the signal quite thin — especially if you’ve left your router on the frequency it came on when you purchased it. 

Solution

Cisco’s latest study on internet traffic revealed that the web is most busy from 9 PM to 1 AM around the world. This time of day is when the internet sees 25% of its daily traffic all at once, which is 20% more internet traffic than what you’d see during non-peak hours. When you have important things to do on the internet, make plans to do them during non-peak hours.

Most US households have multiple users streaming, gaming, and more all at the same time. You can free up the bandwidth of your wireless internet by plugging one or more of these devices directly into the router with an ethernet cable. You can also disconnect any devices that are using the Wi-Fi but don’t need to be. For example, if your phone has an unlimited data plan, allow your Wi-Fi-dependent devices to use the data instead. 

Some of the newest routers can automatically find and select the least-busy frequencies when they’re restarted, so if your router is relatively new, try rebooting it. For older routers, you can change the channel manually through the admin panel. 

If you have a dual-band routers, you won’t need to worry about channel hopping. This type of router allows you to enable 2.4 and 5GHz at the same time, which means they can transmit twice as much signal and offer superior performance when compared to a single-band router. The 2.4GHz frequency can be thought of as an all-purpose, wide-range spectrum that can penetrate thicker walls at a slower signal speed while 5GHz is less crowded and offers faster data, fewer disconnections, and less interference. However, its higher frequencies can’t travel through furniture, floors, or walls. 

Cause: Neighbors Stealing Your Wi-Fi

If your wireless network isn’t sufficiently protected, it’s easy for your neighbors and others nearby to mooch off of your internet — sometimes without your knowledge. Sharing your signal with people outside your house is not only a security issue, but it also slows down the Wi-Fi significantly.

Solution

A new poll by Wakefield Research says that one-third of Americans have admitted to (successfully and unsuccessfully) attempting to access a Wi-Fi network that wasn’t theirs, which is up 18% from 2008. This startling statistic underscores the need to protect your network with a password. Keep the password a secret from everyone who doesn’t need to know it. The password needs to be strong enough to create more difficulty for anyone trying to hack it, so try not to base your password on wired equivalent privacy (WEP) standards. These have proven to be easy to hack. Follow this link for suggestions on creating a solid password. 

In addition to setting a password, you should also set up network security. CNET has provided some tips for changing the settings in your network and on the router to keep your network safe. Remember to update your router regularly and check for unfamiliar devices that may be using your network. These simple preventative measures ensure that only you and your authorized users are able to access your Wi-Fi for optimal speed. If you’re not sure how to update or check your network for suspicious users, click here.

Cause: Interference From Home Appliances

Fish Tanks

Water is a difficult medium for Wi-Fi waves to pass through, so if your router is placed near your fish tank, it’s probably leeching most of the signal and keeping it from reaching your devices as easily. Move your Wi-Fi router as far away as possible from aquariums to ensure fast emission of wireless waves in every direction.

Microwaves and TVs

Close living quarters might necessitate the close proximity of your Wi-Fi router, TV, microwave, fridge, wireless speakers, baby monitors, console controllers, and other devices operating on a 2.45GHz Wi-Fi frequency. These pieces of equipment use almost the same frequency as Wi-Fi networks (2.4GHz), which can cause the signals to overlap and slow each other down, so it’s not a good idea for them to be near each other. You can move these items further apart or change the Wi-Fi channel on them manually. 

Moving your router further from these devices usually makes a difference. Either place them in different places or physically change the Wi-Fi channel. Not sure how? Click here to learn more. 

Low-E Windows

Some energy-efficient windows are coated with low-emissivity coatings — a thin, invisible metal that prevents heat transfer through the window. Never put your Wi-Fi router next to windows with this coating or with metal blinds.

Metal Accessories

Metal accents and mirrors make sleek and interesting home decor items, but some of these items can negatively impact your Wi-Fi. Wall decor with metal backing weakens and deflects signal strength, so the nearer these metal-backed items are to your router, the worse the signal will get. Mirrors are the common culprit of dead zones, so consider relocating any that are hung in areas in which you frequently use Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth-Connected Devices

Bluetooth is one of the least-likely causes of Wi-Fi connectivity issues, as manufacturers build in features to proactively prevent interference. Bluetooth operates on the same frequency as Wi-Fi, but it’s designed to randomly jump around between 70 different channels about 1,600 times every second to prevent frequency clash. Nevertheless, interference still occurs from time to time. When this happens, move your router away from any devices connected to Bluetooth and turn your Bluetooth off to determine whether or not it’s causing the problem.

Cause: Outdated Router

The average router only functions effectively for two to five years until it slows down and is no longer able to support newer technologies. When your router is reaching the end of its life, you will notice constant disruptions and slow connection to the internet, limited coverage, and overheating.

Solution

If overheating is starting to affect the performance of your router, the solution may be as simple as moving the device to a spot that allows for proper airflow. You may even consider running a fan on it to prevent heat damage over time. Old age sometimes warrants a new router, in which case you should look into the best wireless routers for 2019 according to Digital Trends. To avoid problems like these in the future, invest in a new router every two years. They range from $60 to $400 (depending on the features you want), which isn’t a terribly high expense to pay every few years. 

Cause: Home Construction

Even the construction of your house can play a part in the quality of your Wi-Fi signal. Some homes are built with thick metal or concrete walls that make it difficult for a signal to pass through. These materials are so effective at blocking electromagnetic fields that manufacturers now use them in the creation of RFID-protected accessories. Basements in particular are known for having thick walls that are impervious to Wi-Fi, especially when the house is older and contains plaster and lath (metallic mesh) walls. This substance reduces the signal drastically and sometimes even blocks Wi-Fi from passing through entirely. 

The NIST Construction Automation Program has created a report with the least- to most-conductive wall materials for Wi-Fi, and it may help explain network speed issues you have been encountering. These construction materials are ranked from least to most penetrable for Wi-Fi, and have been listed according to signal loss in decibels: 

1. Concrete
2. Reinforced concrete
3. Brick-faced concrete
4. Brick-faced masonry block
5. Concrete
6. Brick
7. Masonry block
8. Lumber
9. Glass
10. Plywood and drywall

Solution

The most obvious solution to this problem is to reconfigure your router or range extender in an area that isn’t surrounded by concrete, metal, ceramic, stone, or brick walls containing air ducts, insulation, and/or water pipes. Thin walls made of materials like Gyprock are the most ideal for Wi-Fi, but you can use a repeater to bypass problematic construction. 

Keep this information in mind so you can make an informed decision when you’re ready to buy your next house. If you need an excellent Wi-Fi signal for working at home, use this knowledge to avoid purchasing a property that will inevitably cause Wi-Fi connectivity issues in the future. 

Still Having Wi-Fi Connection Problems?

If none of the suggestions above resolve your Wi-Fi connectivity issues, there’s still one more thing you should try before you spend any money. Visit Speedtest.net to test your Wi-Fi connection. This will tell you if the problem is with the connection itself or with the router, giving your ISP a better idea of how to help you. Remember that your internet only has to be within 20% of the speed you agreed on with your ISP, so it’s normal for the signal to be a little slower than you expected. 

If your ISP isn’t able to resolve the problem, think about switching providers to a company like Suddenlink or Spectrum. 

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