10 Myths About Fiber Internet Debunked
Although fiber-optic internet has been around for decades, it’s still often perceived as a new technology. This has led to many misconceptions that make fiber seem less safe or reliable than traditional copper connections—but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about fiber-optic internet.
Myth #1 – Fiber-optic cables are a fire hazard.
This myth couldn’t be further from the truth! Since fiber-optic cables use light to transfer data instead of electricity they actually generate less heat than traditional cables! This absence of heat makes them less likely to catch fire and less of a fire hazard than normal metal wires.
Myth #2 – Getting Fiber installed is a super complicated process.
We understand how this is a common misconception, especially if fiber infrastructure is new to your city! In places where fiber infrastructure is newly built out, there is often an extra step of installing conduit in your yard that will protect the fiber line leading to your home. This is a necessary step to getting you connected, but once this conduit has been installed your fiber installation is just as easy and simple as getting a copper connection. You can learn more about what our installation process looks like by checking out our installation process page.
Myth #3 – Fiber internet is less dependable than traditional internet.
This is another myth that couldn’t be further from the truth. Fiber internet is actually one of the safest and most dependable ways to connect to the internet. Since fiber lines are made from glass strands and not copper metal, they are less likely to be affected by changing weather conditions that would cause metal wires to become brittle and break. This makes them less likely to experience outages caused by weather conditions.
Fiber internet is also more dependable when it comes to surfing the web! Due to the fact that fiber uses light instead of electricity to transfer data, it emits no electromagnetic energy, which makes it harder for hackers to intercept and steal data.
Myth #4 – Fiber Internet is too expensive.
Because fiber is often perceived as new and high-quality it’s easy to assume that it is out of the price range for the average Joe. But in truth, there are a lot of fiber internet plans out there that can fit within every budget. On our network, we partner with several ISPs that offer a range of plans to fit every budget! You can learn more about how pricing works on our residential pricing page.
Myth #5 – Fiber-optic cables aren’t durable since they are made from glass.
Since fiber-optic cables are made from glass it is easy to assume that they wouldn’t be as durable or strong as their copper metal counterpart. But in reality when it comes fiber-optic cables they actually have more than 8x the pulling tension than a traditional copper wire. This paired with the fiber cable’s ability to handle temperature fluctuations and other extreme weather conditions make them extremely durable!
Myth #6 – Fiber-optic cables cannot bend.
It’s easy to assume that since fiber lines are made from glass they would shatter if they were bent, but the truth is that because of the way they are made fiber wires can be bent without the fear of it breaking! There are also several layers that go into creating fiber cables that help protect it from breakage!
Myth #7 – Fiber isn’t THAT much faster than copper.
To truly understand just how much faster fiber is than copper let’s talk numbers. On average a standard copper internet connection offers about 300 Mbps download speed with a theoretical max of 10 Gbps if you are willing to pay for it. On the flip side, while on a fiber network, you can get a connection of anywhere from 250 Mbps to a max of 100 Gbps, and with fiber, you know that you will be getting those speeds for your download AND upload not just download like with a copper connection.
Myth #8 – Fiber internet isn’t widely available.
While fiber internet may not be available in every neighborhood just yet, its coverage is rapidly expanding! Many cities and communities are investing in fiber infrastructure due to its reliability and speed. Plus, networks like UTOPIA Fiber continue to build out fiber infrastructure to bring high-speed internet access to more homes and businesses every day.
Myth #9 – Fiber internet is only useful for big businesses.
Fiber internet is often associated with large corporations and tech companies due to its high potential for speed, but the reality is that fiber is for everyone! Many residential customers already use fiber for everything from remote work to online gaming and streaming. With a variety of affordable plans available, everyday households can benefit from the same high-speed, high-reliability internet that businesses can!
Myth #10 – Switching to fiber means replacing all my devices.
Some people worry that upgrading to fiber means they’ll have to replace their computers, phones, or routers, but that’s not the case! Most modern devices are already compatible with fiber internet speeds. In many cases, you just need a router that is capable of managing your new fiber-fast speeds to enjoy the full benefits of your new connection. If you’re unsure if your router can keep up with fiber speeds you can contact our customer service team or check out our list of recommended routers here.
We hope this has cleared up some of the most common misconceptions about fiber internet! If you’re curious to learn more about the benefits of fiber and want to learn more about what it can do for you check out our Residential Services page.