It comes with no surprise that broadband internet technology has gained immense popularity than ever in the past. The term broadband commonly refers to high-speed internet access that is always faster than the traditional dial-up internet service. Today, it helps businesses function efficiently, and it has become an important part of our lives. There are plenty of options out there for those who are constantly looking to delve deeper into broadband. Among, traditional or standard broadband, also known as asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), and fiber optic broadband, the latter is gaining traction. Traditional broadband is still used in some places especially in households as high speed is not a key requirement. But in most households, wireless routers have gained prominence. Fiber optics finds a huge scope in various industries and mission-critical applications, where speedy data transfer over long distances is done through private networks. This post discusses prominent differences between fiber-optic broadband and traditional broadband connection in detail.

A Quick Overview of Traditional Broadband Connection

It is a wireline transmission technology that uses copper phone lines for data transmission. The broadband provides transmission speeds ranging from several hundred Kbps to millions of bits per second. It utilizes the lines that are categorized as one for data and one for voice. Traditional broadband delivers internet over the same cables used to provide television data. The basic internet speed may vary from 6 Mbps to 18 Mbps, while advanced cable internet speed range from 75 Mbps and sometimes seven higher. However, the speed of the internet can be affected by the users within the same locality using the same cable connection. It means, the more the number of users, the slower the speed.

An Introduction to Fiber Optic Broadband Connection

The use of Fiber optic network devices is becoming the fastest growing and modern way of sending and receiving data over the network. The technology works by converting electric signals into light form, which is then sent via transparent tubing or fibers. One of the major advantages of fiber optic broadband is that it can reach higher speeds across large distances, making it perfect for businesses that heavily rely on fast internet.

What Makes Fiber Optic Broadband Different from Traditional Broadband?

The following pointers may help you better understand the difference between these two broadband connections in detail.

  • Both cable and fiber optic broadband connections offer fast speeds; however, they may vary depending on the location, wires used for making the connection, the technology used in the local cabinet, and more.
  • The traditional broadband connection uses copper wires to transfer data over the network, while fiber utilizes high-speed fiber optic cables.
  • There is a noticeable difference in data transmission speed. Fiber optic modems offers up to 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds for upload as well as download. While at the same time, cable internet offers the internet speed that fulfills the demand for small- and medium-sized businesses or domestic requirements. Comparatively, it’s slower than a fiber-optic connection.
  • A fiber-optic broadband connection is considered to be more reliable than traditional broadband connections. When it comes to consistency, security, and performance, fiber provides several advantages. For instance, fiber offers a dedicated line that saves users from delays in data processing. The speed of cable internet tends to drop as the signals weaken in case of heavy traffic.
  • The pricing difference between these two connections is visible. Fiber-optic broadband is more expensive than traditional broadband. With more demand and coverage area, the price gap would gradually decrease over the next few years. However, it’s always a good idea to consider all the options before investing the money.

If you are looking for a reliable, secure internet connection for your business, then fiber optic broadband is the best choice, especially if your business is growing.  There are significant advantages of this broadband connection when you compare it to a traditional broadband connection. Fiber connectivity provides higher throughput. VERSITRON offers high-quality fiber optic network switches and installation kits that can connect to the existing legacy networks for better speed and connectivity.