Will fiber optic make my internet connection faster?

[Jamesin_x]

OK, so I tried to understand this optical internet thing, but there are still things I can't figure out.

1) If my current download speed is 3~4 Mbps on DSL, will switching to fiber increase that speed? I can't figure that out because people are saying their speed increased after switching to fiber, but if I think about it, it makes no sense: if their speed just a few Mbps, it means their subscription plan includes only those few Mbps. It's usually not nearly the physical limit of copper wires, so that means it's not copper that is limiting their speed, but their subscription plan. If they install fiber connection, the connection between them and their ISP is faster, but they are still paying for the same bandwidth as before. Does that mean that with optical you get more Mbps than you pay for?

2) What about modems? People on the internet are talking about how there's no modems for optical internet, but if fiber is installed all the way to the box on the wall next to your door, can't you use the same DSL cables between that box and your modem? If not, what cables are used to connect those two?

3) Does fiber lower ping? If not, what else can lower ping since fiber has very low latency (and with DSL it increases with the distance from provider)?

 

[jsmithepa]

Fiber usually does better than DSL but not always.

You are right, fiber doesn't guarantee you faster speed, it just HAS THE POTENTIAL to do so, you are still at the mercy of HOW MUCH YOU PAY for your plan.

DSL has a major flaw, called the LAST MILE, the copper, vey old copper from olden days from your house to the nearest telephone exchange. At the same time, just because they say FIBER is doesn't mean you get this Last Mile cabling replaced, it may just means from the back bone (Google for definition of Internet back bone) to the exchange office is fiber.

The answer for the consumer is actually very simple: I don't care what they call it. If I am paying for a 10 mbit service, I expect performance at least 80% (by experience) of what they promised me, so I'll put up with 8 mbit but no less.

 

[Jamesin_x]

Fiber usually does better than DSL but not always.

You are right, fiber doesn't guarantee you faster speed, it just HAS THE POTENTIAL to do so, you are still at the mercy of HOW MUCH YOU PAY for your plan.

DSL has a major flaw, called the LAST MILE, the copper, vey old copper from olden days from your house to the nearest telephone exchange. At the same time, just because they say FIBER is doesn't mean you get this Last Mile cabling replaced, it may just means from the back bone (Google for definition of Internet back bone) to the exchange office is fiber. So KNOW WHAT YOU PAYING FOR is the ultimate answer.

Thanks for responding!
So, there should be no difference while the speed on DSL is within its capability limits? About the last mile, in my case I know fiber was installed all the way to my building (and it can be installed through the building to those boxes next to each door), so there should be no copper in between.

 

[USAFRet]

1. This is entirely on what you pay the ISP for.

2. That is false, and a misidentification of items.

For a typical fiber to the house, there is a fiber line running from the neighborhood connection tot he outside wall of your house.
From that, there will be an ONT. Optical Network Terminal.
This translates the fiber signal into either coax or ethernet...something your consumer grade items can use.
Let's assume coax from the ONT to the "router". The box the ISP gives you.
This is a modem/router. Modulator/Demodulator.
It translates the signal into something a router can use. Typically, this "router" is physically in the same box.
Or, you can indeed use a different router.

The router portion is what serves up the signal to your multiple internal devices.

Your DSL cables? Not sure what you are calling "DSL cables".
But from that 'router', standard Cat5e ethernet cables work.

Also...many wonks around the intertubes will automatically state that the router you get from the ISP "always stinks, and you should never, ever use it". Nonsense.
You have to actually investigate the particular one.
My G1100, from Verizon, is just fine.

 

[mcnumpty23]

depends as well what country you are in or even where in a country you are

some places have FTTP--fibre to the premises

others only to the nearest junction box/green cabinet to your house then the rest is copper

so for example in the uk if you know you are in a fibre enabled area but you dont have fibre to the premises you take a little walk around your neighbourhood

and look for a green cabinet--from that cabinet to your premises will be copper

and yes some providers you have a modem and a router

others only a router

BT in the uk being an example they stopped using the separate modem a few years back

 

[mcnumpty23]

oh and again in the uk

isps have to give to new fibre customers a Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed

if you don't get that guaranteed minimum or higher you are free to leave your contract with no penalty according to OFCOM

 

[USAFRet]

Here in the US, on Verizon fiber, I have never gotten below the advertised speed.
25/25, then 50/50, now 75/75 which consistently tests at 83/81.

 

[Jamesin_x]

1. This is entirely on what you pay the ISP for.

2. That is false, and a misidentification of items.

For a typical fiber to the house, there is a fiber line running from the neighborhood connection tot he outside wall of your house.
From that, there will be an ONT. Optical Network Terminal.
This translates the fiber signal into either coax or ethernet...something your consumer grade items can use.
Let's assume coax from the ONT to the "router". The box the ISP gives you.
This is a modem/router. Modulator/Demodulator.
It translates the signal into something a router can use. Typically, this "router" is physically in the same box.
Or, you can indeed use a different router.

The router portion is what serves up the signal to your multiple internal devices.

Your DSL cables? Not sure what you are calling "DSL cables".
But from that 'router', standard Cat5e ethernet cables work.

Also...many wonks around the intertubes will automatically state that the router you get from the ISP "always stinks, and you should never, ever use it". Nonsense.
You have to actually investigate the particular one.
My G1100, from Verizon, is just fine.

By DSL cables I mean the cables I currently use with my DSL internet, with connector like in this picture:
http://www.b2bnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/netcable.jpg

 

[USAFRet]

By DSL cables I mean the cables I currently use with my DSL internet, with connector like in this picture:
http://www.b2bnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/netcable.jpg

That seems to be a standard Cat5e, from the 'router' box to your PC.

Further details would depend on your provider, and how your house/residence is actually wired.

 

[mcnumpty23]

Here in the US, on Verizon fiber, I have never gotten below the advertised speed.
25/25, then 50/50, now 75/75 which consistently tests at 83/81.

thats a very nice upload to download ratio

here the standard sort of package to most people--with the exception of virgin media

is usually up to 76 but only 20 upload

which realistically turns out to be around 12--15 upload even if you are very close to the fibre cabinet

of course if you want to pay heavily as with most things in life,,you can get better--around 80 dollars a month equivalent you can get 1Gbs and 100Mbs upload from a select few companies who specialise in fibre to the premises

 

[Jamesin_x]

By DSL cables I mean the cables I currently use with my DSL internet, with connector like in this picture:
http://www.b2bnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/netcable.jpg

That seems to be a standard Cat5e, from the 'router' box to your PC.

Further details would depend on your provider, and how your house/residence is actually wired.

Alright, thanks.
And what about ping? Does fiber lower your latency over copper, regardless of the achieved speeds?

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, thanks.
And what about ping? Does fiber lower your latency over copper, regardless of the achieved speeds?

"Ping" is another of those words that people misconstrue.
Q. "How can I reduce my ping?"
A. Move closer to the server.

Ping is the time it takes for a round trip between you and the server or device at the far end.
Fiber to your house does not affect, in any way, what happens after the signal leaves the ISP boxes.
And it is very distance related.

For instance...testing with speedtest.net.
To a server nearby, I might see a ping of 21ms.
2 minutes later, to a speedtest server 3,000 miles away, I might see a ping of 95ms.

Same upload/download, same software and test...longer ping. Completely due to distance.

 

[USAFRet]

Here in the US, on Verizon fiber, I have never gotten below the advertised speed.
25/25, then 50/50, now 75/75 which consistently tests at 83/81.

thats a very nice upload to download ratio

here the standard sort of package to most people--with the exception of virgin media

is usually up to 76 but only 20 upload

which realistically turns out to be around 12--15 upload even if you are very close to the fibre cabinet

of course if you want to pay heavily as with most things in life,,you can get better--around 80 dollars a month equivalent you can get 1Gbs and 100Mbs upload from a select few companies who specialise in fibre to the premises

 

[bill001g]

By DSL cables I mean the cables I currently use with my DSL internet, with connector like in this picture:
http://www.b2bnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/netcable.jpg

That seems to be a standard Cat5e, from the 'router' box to your PC.

Further details would depend on your provider, and how your house/residence is actually wired.

Alright, thanks.
And what about ping? Does fiber lower your latency over copper, regardless of the achieved speeds?

You need to be careful about getting to buried in the details. There are so many things that cause delays but you can do little about it. Signals travel in most copper cables at just over 2/3 the speed of light. If you are very anal about things you can calculate these delays and see how much it is better but because copper cable can only go relatively short distances it is not going to be much. You likely spent more time reading this response than you will ever save in your lifetime by replacing the copper connection between your house and the first ISP fiber connection with fiber all the way to your house.

 

[USAFRet]

Exactly. It is too easy to too wrapped up in the technology.

Locally, I have Cox Communications and Verizon FiOS available for broadband.

Cox is cable, Verizon is fiber to the house.
If I could get similar tested speed, for the exact same price, from either...I would choose Verizon.

Not because fiber is magically "better", but simply because of a long running issue I had with Cox years and years ago.
I would take Verizon even if Cox were $10/month cheaper, for the exact same service
I just don't like Cox Communications.

As long as the delivery to the wall of my house is stable and what I pay for...I don't care if it comes via carrier pigeon, a trail of ants, copper, fiber, modulated puppy farts...whatever.

 

[jsmithepa]

Exactly. It is too easy to too wrapped up in the technology..

From the famed Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review: "Don't go on the deep end!"