The more our lives are surrounded by the internet, the more important it becomes to have a strong connection to it. Recently, fiber has emerged as the fastest, purest, and most reliable connection available, so upgrading your services might be the best option for you and your family. Before making that final decision, understand the differences between DSL connection and fiber.

 

Speed

It’s simple — fiber is fast. While DSL uses copper phone lines to transmit data, fiber uses ultra-thin glass strands that carry light instead of electricity. Since light can travel very quickly through the fiber-optic cables, fiber connection can see gigabit speeds 100x faster than DSL. So what does that mean for you? With fiber, your entire family can enjoy activities such as high-definition video streaming and online gaming without worrying about buffering or screen lags.   

 

 

 

 

Availability

Most homes readily have access to DSL. Because fiber is fairly new, internet providers are still working on expanding their coverage. Fortunately, as the demand for fiber increases, so do expansion projects. If you’re looking to get fiber in your neighborhood, Socket has a simple signup process to put in a request.

 

Installation

DSL usually runs over pre existing lines, so setup and installation is quick and easy. You can even get DSL without purchasing a phone service. Fiber is a bit different. Although installation requires professional services, it’s a lot less invasive than you might think. Technicians first determine the best path to run the fiber-optic cables to your home. After, they carefully dig holes and bury conduit piping; the fiber-optic cables are then placed in the conduit. Instead of using a traditional modem, a small Optical Network Terminal (ONT) box will be placed at your home to convert the light signals to digital data.

 

Takeaway

As the internet continues to evolve, fiber is best for keeping up with the changes. It supports high-performance online activities and provides broadband technology in a way that DSL can’t. Without the use of the copper lines, fiber has the ability to provide more bandwidth over a greater distance. To see if Socket has fiber near you, visit www.socket.net/fiberhood.