Top 9 Benefits of Fiber Internet for Your Business

There’s a good reason that fiber optic internet is so popular in today’s hyper-connected world – the speed is unmatched by any other type of internet connection. But that’s not the only benefit businesses experience with fiber optic cable.

1. Speed. Other internet connection types have upload speeds that are usually one-tenth of the download speed, but fiber optic internet speeds are symmetrical, meaning that upload and download speeds are the same. This saves precious time during the business day and is crucial for use of cloud services, uploading larges files (like a video to YouTube) or video conferencing. Most businesses share their internet connection among desktops, laptops, VoIP phone systems and more, but employees are also connecting their smartphones, tablets, and other devices to the internet too. Businesses need to make sure they have enough bandwidth to support all of these devices. A fiber connection delivers this support.
2. Reliability. Fiber optic cable is sturdier than the copper or coaxial cables that carry DSL or cable internet. That means it’s less likely to be damaged unless the cable is cut. Fiber optic internet connections are built to last—some fiber optic cable connections have been in use for more than 30 years!
3. Secure networks. Fiber optic cable is nearly hack-proof. Although rare, it’s possible to tap into a copper or coax line to steal internet service. A fiber network, on the other hand, can’t be tapped this way, because the cable would have to be cut, which would take the system down. Additionally, while DOCSIS cable modem and fiber-based Passive Optical Networks are shared with other subscribers, dedicated fiber connections aren’t shared with other customers, providing an additional layer of security. 
4. Improved Cloud experience. Cloud services like OneDrive, Box, Google Drive, or Dropbox allow businesses to store, manage and process their data using a network of remote servers, in turn providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution to managing workload. Cloud services need speed and bandwidth for optimal performance, making fiber internet the superior conduit for getting the most out of the cloud.
5. Future Proof. Fiber optic internet is easily scalable compared to other types of internet connections. Typically, internet service providers can upgrade the speed of a fiber network with a single phone call—making it easy to meet the needs of a company at every stage of growth. Additional bandwidth and fiber speed help power the peripheral devices a business will add to their operations as they grow: printers, credit card machines, scanners, point-of-sale terminals, and more. With a fiber link, there’s enough bandwidth and speed to support the devices a business has today, while also being ready for the devices of the future.
6. Cost. Fiber networks have a more complex installation than copper or coax networks, so they come with upfront installation costs if there’s not already an existing line. But like any other technology, the average cost of fiber optic internet reduces over time as the technology matures. Being more reliable than other types of networks, fiber has less maintenance cost and less networking hardware. In other words, fiber optic internet service can be a long-term cost savings.
7. Distance. Copper and coax signals degrade as the distance between the origin and business increases. But a fiber network doesn’t have this issue. The fiber optic signal is carried with light, resulting in minimal signal loss regardless of distance. Although most businesses are probably much closer to metro fiber, it’s possible to run fiber optic cable for nearly 25 miles with no degradation.
8. Interference. A fiber link is the best choice for businesses that are near to, or create, high-frequency noises—or those with heavy electrical machinery. These businesses can experience electromagnetic interference that will degrade a copper or coax signal. Fiber optic connections aren’t affected by this type of interference.
9. Latency. Latency refers to the delay in transmission time between two points. For a fiber optic network, the internet signal is transmitted by light, so signals travel faster – literally at the speed of light – resulting in much less latency than with other internet signals. 

Businesses need to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape, so they need the best internet connection they can get—and that’s fiber. Internet service providers have flexible and customizable fiber optic solutions that can affordably meet the needs of companies of all sizes, in all industries.