If you don’t know about Fibre optic internet yet, you have been missing out. In a day and age where being connected is essential and where everything happens online, an internet connection (and a fast one, at that) is a daily need. Fibre optic is the latest, greatest and fastest internet connection solution.
Fibre optic internet cables are made up of thin Fiberglass cables inside of a larger protective cable. The digital data is transferred with the use of light signals through these glass fibres. There is no electricity involved, which makes it a lot faster than traditional copper cables. However, Fibre internet coverage is not yet available in all residential areas so you will need to check the status of your residential Fibre availability.
There are many different internet service providers who can assist you in installing Fibre in your home or business. To check whether the Fibre is available in your residential or business area, have a look at a few internet service providers’ websites; the websites usually contain coverage maps that indicate where Fibre is available in your area.
Before you decide on an internet provider and data deal, make sure you understand the differences between Fibre to the home and Fibre for a business. There are many noticeable differences between the two, like:
Speed: there are various different speeds for Fibre connections available and the speed you require is usually based on your internet requirements. Speeds range from 10 Mbps up to 200 Mbps for a home internet connection. Slower speeds are great for basic internet needs like browsing the web, sending and receiving emails, music and photo downloads, HD streaming, gaming, VoIP calls and multiple user connections. How much you would be able to do with your internet speed will depend on the speed of your connection. Speeds between 50 Mbps and 1Gbps are generally more suited for businesses as they offer more functionality like more consisted connection, better quality voice and video calls, more sophisticated security protocols, better download and upload speeds and less downtime.
Usage: Fibre for your home versus business Fibre are two different packages all together and therefore both have different offerings and are more suited to different functions. A business connection would allow multiple users to be connected to the network with little to no interruptions, issues or downtime. Your staff would need a steady and reliable connection throughout the day and they would need to be able to surf the web, send and receive emails, have real-time cloud access, be able to download and upload data files when needed, and would need to be able to make and receive video or voice calls through VoIP.
Coverage: coverage is generally better in metro areas where businesses are most likely to be set up. Residential areas do have coverage, but this is based on demand and some areas may not have Fibre installed yet.
Downtime: home internet connections may experience more downtime due to congestion and speed fluctuation. Businesses generally have service level agreements with their Fibre internet providers and will not experience a lot of downtime or failed networks.
Security: due to the importance of your businesses’ data privacy, business Fibre security is generally more secure than that of home internet connections.
A few things will be determining factors when it comes to choosing the right Fibre deal for you. These include:
- Home vs. business Fibre offerings and your requirements
- The area you are in
- How much you are willing to spend
And in order to make the right choice, you should:
- Make a list of your internet requirements
- Research the support the ISP can offer
- Research the deals on offer per internet service provider
- Research the speeds of the lines available in your area
BitCo has various home and business Fibre optic deals available for you. Have a look at the various offerings and coverage in your area, and get in touch with us so we can get you connected.
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