{"id":12977,"date":"2022-01-04T11:33:27","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T10:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mercuron.eu\/kennis\/uncategorized\/fiber\/"},"modified":"2024-09-14T15:02:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T14:02:55","slug":"fiber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mercuron.eu\/en\/kennis\/blog-en\/fiber\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiber"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Fiber is conquering the world<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlog overview<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Fiber optic Internet, also called “fiber” or “fiber optics,” offers broadband connections with speeds of up to more than 940 megabits per second (Mbps) and very low ping.<\/p>\n

This modern technology uses fiber optic cables, which allow unprecedented speeds over a cable.
\nFiber optic cables consist of thin, flexible glass wires that transmit signals with light particles.
\nYes, you read correctly, light particles!
\nThanks to this technology, we now achieve speeds of up to 70% of the speed of light. <\/p>\n

You no longer have to wait all night for your game to download, and movies hardly buffer anymore.
\nThe future is here, and it’s coming to you via fiber cable. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

How fast is fiber compared to Wi-Fi, DSL and cable<\/h2>\n

To understand this, we first need to know what the different connection methods entail:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What is DSL internet?<\/h3>\n

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is Internet through your telephone line.
\nIt uses existing telephone cables to transmit Internet data as well.
\nTo this day, Proximus still offers Internet services over these lines. <\/p>\n

There are two main types of DSL connections: symmetrical and asymmetrical.
\nA symmetrical connection offers equal upload and download speeds, while an asymmetrical connection has faster download speeds and slower upload speeds. <\/p>\n

DSL provides a constant but not always strong Internet connection.
\nThe connection is direct to the nearest neighborhood exchange, which means your Internet is not shared with other users on the same cable. <\/p>\n

The strength of your Internet connection can be affected by several factors.
\nThe farther you are from the neighborhood exchange, the slower your speed may be.
\nThe number of simultaneous users can also affect it.
\nFor example, if you watch TV over the same connection, that can slow your Internet speed because the bandwidth is shared. <\/p>\n

DSL can offer download speeds from 1 to 400 Mbps and upload speeds range from 384 Kbps to 8 Mbps.
\nNote that the speed you actually experience depends on your distance from the neighborhood exchange and the simultaneous use of your Internet connection. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What is cable internet?<\/h3>\n

Cable Internet uses a coaxial cable to bring the Internet to your home.
\nTelenet is a well-known example of a provider that offers cable Internet. <\/p>\n

Compared to DSL Internet, cable Internet has its own advantages and disadvantages.
\nOne advantage is that distance to the street cabinet and bandwidth do not affect your surfing speed.
\nOn the other hand, the speed can be affected by your neighbors’ use because cable Internet works over a shared network.
\nSo during busy times, your speed can drop significantly.
\nTelenet, for example, offers several subscriptions that allow you to limit your speed during peak hours to relieve the network. <\/p>\n

The download speed of cable Internet typically ranges from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps, although in practice you often end up slightly lower because of the shared network.
\nUpload speeds range between 5 and 50 Mbps. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

How fast is Fiber in comparison?<\/h3>\n

Fiber Internet offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps and is extremely reliable.
\nIt is not affected by other users, and cable distances are not a factor.
\nThe cables are also resistant to problems such as moisture.
\nThis means you can always count on a stable and fast connection.
\nNo more stammering video calls or movies that suddenly start buffering! <\/p>\n

Want to know how fast your Internet is? Test it yourself on the Ookla website!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Can you use fiber?<\/h2>\n

Whether you can use fiber depends on where you live and which Internet service provider you are affiliated with.<\/p>\n

Proximus was one of the first to build out their own fiber optic network.
\nThey currently operate mainly in major cities, but are expanding to new areas daily.
\nYou can check on their website to see if fiber is available at your home. <\/p>\n

Telenet doesn’t have a full fiber network yet.
\nThey still use coaxial cables up to your home, but the connection from Telenet to the distribution room is already fiber.
\nTelenet offers a hybrid network, with both fiber and coaxial cables.
\nThis provides stable download speeds of up to 500 Mbps, but your speed may vary depending on the number of users on the same distribution station. <\/p>\n

Fluvius also has a fiber optic network in Belgium.
\nLesser-known providers and also Orange use it.
\nOrange is still working on pilot projects and therefore has limited coverage at the moment.
\nOn Orange’s website you can see in which cities fiber is available.
\nOn Sept. 22, 2021, the available cities are Genk, Ghent, Diksmuide, Poperinge and Antwerp.
\nOnly in Antwerp can you currently apply for a free fiber connection. <\/p>\n

What does fiber cost?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The cost of fiber is best compared to your current Internet plan.
\nYou don’t have to pay excessive amounts to enjoy fiber.
\nNote that there may be additional costs for installing the fiber connection in your home.
\nWith Orange, for example, this can be around 500 euros. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In conclusion, is it worth opting for fiber if it’s available?<\/h2>\n

Absolutely!
\nFiberglass offers unparalleled stability and speed.
\nIt is only a matter of time before fiber optics becomes the standard.
\nBy then, it will seem strange if you are still surfing via DSL or coaxial cable. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Table of Contents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Picture\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoel De Frene\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t