With telecom companies like Verizon, and AT&T rolling out fiber optic networks for television and Internet service, it's understandable if one would question if the fiber networks offered by cable companies use the same technology. You may have heard ads on the radio, or TV touting a particular cable providers fiber network, but unless they're speaking of business class services, they never use the word "optic" with fiber.

True Fiber Optic Networks

Both cable, and phone companies use true fiber-optic networks. The discrepancy comes in at what's commonly referred to as "the last mile". A cable providers network is typically fiber to the node, or FTTN, and data is then transmitted from that point to nearby homes and businesses via coaxial cable. On the other hand, some phone companies use the same method, but also offer fiber to the home, or FTTH connections. Currently, Verizon's FiOS network, and AT&T's U-verse are the only networks that deliver via fiber direct your home.

FTTH Connections

This needs a bit of clarification. While U-verse, and fiOS do offer FTTH in some areas, it's first delivered to an access point, or node. From that point it's delivered to the home via coaxial cable, just like the cable providers, or a fiber cable. Hence the term Fiber to The Home, which simply means the point where the fiber optic line is terminated. I know this is a bit confusing, but to make this point once more, an FTTH connections referrers to the "last mile" being a fiber connection versus a coaxial connection.

Fiber Optic Internet

An internet connection over a fiber-optic network is going to be much faster than the old fashioned copper, or coaxial cable, because of the fact data is being transmitted through light pulses through thin strands of glass, instead of electrical pulses over copper resulting in less loss of quality and a greater capacity to carry data. A fiber optic Internet connection is not shared in the last mile the same way cable high-speed is. It's dedicated, so regardless of if it's FTTH, or FTTN, the connection from a phone service provider in theory should be more reliable than with cable.

Fiber Optic TV

The same principals apply here as with fiber Internet. Because of the technologies involved, phone providers using fiber optic network technology now have the ability to match, or ever surpass the quality of cable television providers. If television service is the same, or isn't a factor, it may come down to bundling options for Internet, phone, and TV, since as mentioned before, you're likely to get a better connection through a phone service provider for Internet than you would with a cable broadband connection.



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