What is Fibre Broadband? If you do not know what Fibre is, you are missing out. It the most advanced Internet solution technology there is right now, and it is here to stay.
Fibre internet is different from broadband and most other Internet technologies; from the technology behind it, to the speeds and availability. A Fibre Optic cable is different from the cables used in broadband in that it is made up of tiny glass fibres. These fibres transfer light signals through the glass. These light signals carry the data. A Fibre optic cable is able to handle much higher volumes of data than other kinds of cables, like copper. Fibre cables also do not degrade. It is therefore much faster and more reliable than copper cables.
There are a few major differences between Fibre and standard broadband:
Glass vs Copper Cables
Fibre broadband uses Fibre optic cables to transfer data through light signals. This technology significantly increases the speed of your Internet connection because your data is literally being transferred at the speed of light. Glass cables are not affected by weather conditions like rain and lightning storms. The cables are also not at risk of being stolen. They also do not degrade, meaning that your connection is more reliable, steady, and you can expect fewer connection drops.
Standard broadband uses older technology called ADSL. This is slower than Fibre because it makes use of copper cables between your home and the exchange. ADSL infrastructures were originally designed to handle analogue audio signals or telephone calls, and therefore it is not great at transferring data, as this is not what it was designed to do. Have you ever spent time in a small town or isolated place where you struggled to find cellphone reception? Well, ADSL signal works in the same way. As your distance from the exchange increases, the amount of bandwidth available decreases, meaning the signal strength becomes weaker. This is called attenuation – the longer the signal has to travel through the copper cable, the weaker it becomes. This reduces your connection speed and reliability significantly. Copper cables are also susceptible to bad weather, so your signal strength will weaker during bad weather or storms. They are also affected by other signals and frequencies, which can also affect your connection. Copper is a very valuable material in South Africa, so copper cables are also prone to theft.
Availability
Fibre optic Internet is not always available everywhere. It is still being rolled out throughout the country, some residential areas may not have access to Fibre technology yet. Most metropolitan areas do have access to Fibre.
Standard broadband works with normal phone lines, so they are available throughout South Africa. It is easy to check whether you have access to Fibre and standard broadband in your area. You will be able to check on your Internet service provider’s website.
Reliability
Due to Fibre optic cables not being affected by weather, other signals and theft, your Internet connection will be a lot more reliable than any other kind of Internet technology, including that of standard broadband.
Standard broadband works with copper cables, and as mentioned before, these cables are affected by a number of things, which, at the end of the day, significantly affects the reliability of your Internet connection.
Speed
Fibre optic cables use light signals to transfer data. There is no Internet technology available today that beats the speed of Fibre. Fibre connectivity can range from anything between 10Mbps to 1Gbps.
Standard broadband works on telephone lines and is easily affected by external factors, which will also affect the speed of your Internet connection.
BitCo offers a variety of Fibre broadband packages that will suit your needs, whether you have only a few people using the connection, or whether you have an entire family or a small business relying on your Internet connection, we have a package for you!
Finding out if you have access to Fibre broadband is as easy as checking your coverage.
Check your home coverage here and let us help you guide you into which Home Fibre line you should be using!
