The days of dial-up internet are long behind us, and other iterations of internet cabling are also on the way out. But it can still be challenging to know what sort of internet solution makes the most sense for your budget and usage needs—especially for business and commercial settings. Some sites will utilize special devices to improve slow internet, like WiFi access points or range extenders. If you have the option, though, going with fiber cabling can give you a more permanent and faster connection overall.

Why Fiber Internet is Different

For both work and relaxation, being able to rely on high-speed internet has never been more important. We all want to stay connected, and whether that’s having a consistent video stream for remote meetings or great video quality for watching your favorite show in the evening, how your internet reaches you can make a tremendous difference in your experience. We want fast internet, and that's exactly what fiber cabling delivers.

In a nutshell, fiber internet is fast because light travels fast. Other types of internet cabling are made with copper wires. Fiber optic cabling is different because it’s able to work with light. Instead of having data travel down a copper wire, fiber cabling lets us send information as light along thin strands of special glass or plastic.

Because fiber optics work with light, fiber cabling is able to provide stronger internet signals over greater distances. The capabilities of copper wires, on the other hand, get worse as they get longer. Their strength, or attenuation, also gets weaker. Because fiber cabling isn’t as susceptible to these problems, it’s able to load content faster and maintain a better video quality during streaming.

New Projects in the Works for Fiber Cabling

Although fiber cabling has been around for nearly 50 years, it’s taken some time for it to gain traction with our day-to-day communication systems. Fiber optics have long proven to be useful for medical imaging needs, and even secure military networking. But now we can expect to see the technology make a larger, more noticeable impact in our lives.

Today, fiber optic cabling is widely regarded as the next major milestone for our infrastructure. The industry as a whole has also been attracting more attention from investors who want to be on the cutting edge of technology for new commercial and residential developments. This is an exciting next step for fiber cabling. Large cities like San Francisco have already announced their plans to make the switch to a fiber-optic internet network. And as the demand for internet continues to increase year over year, it’s likely that more areas will start to transition to these robust systems.

Staying Current with Data Speeds

Having a good internet connection is almost a requirement for living in this modern era. We rely on technology in our personal lives as well as our work environments, and the right internet cabling setup can be an incredible asset. While fiber optic internet is not yet a possibility in every part of the country, the homes and buildings that do have access to fiber internet connections will prove to be much more desirable in both the near and distant future.

As more developers and municipalities start to view internet as a critical piece of infrastructure, it will be important for building owners and occupants to embrace fiber cabling. Fortunately, making these upgrades should be relatively easy. Once the connections are available to your street or block, for example, installing the necessary cabling to bring that service to your site can be handled quickly by your local telecommunications company. The future of fast internet is closely linked to fiber optics. Getting ahead of the curve will help ensure your location is ideal for decades to come.