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How do fiber optic networks work?

  • Fiber optic networks use fiber cable rather than copper cable or satellite signals to transmit data and to provide access to networks and the Internet.
  • Fiber cable transmits data via pulses of light that can travel nearly as quickly as the speed of light.
  • By providing faster speeds and greater bandwidth than other technologies, fiber optic networks enable higher performance and better quality in Internet, voice, TV and video communications.
     

Fiber optic networks are quickly becoming the new standard in connectivity for large organizations, with fiber Internet access available in a growing number of cities and business communities. But how do fiber optic networks work, and what advantages do they offer over traditional network technologies? Here is a brief primer on “How do fiber optic networks work?” that provides detail about this rapidly expanding technology and the benefits it offers large businesses.

How do fiber optic networks work?

Fiber optic networks connect businesses and homes to the Internet and to voice and TV services using fiber optic cable instead of copper cable or satellite signals. A fiber cable contains dozens or hundreds of small strands of glass or plastic cable, over which data can travel as pulses of light at nearly the speed of light.

How do fiber optic networks work for Internet service?

Offering faster speed and higher bandwidth, fiber optic networks can provide Internet connectivity with speeds that reach 100 Gbps ― roughly 2000 times the speed of a typical 50 Mbps connection in a broadband network.

How do fiber optic networks work for voice and TV services?

With faster download and upload speeds, fiber optic networks can provide superior VoIP telephone communications and videoconferencing, along with exceptional HDTV viewing experiences.

How do fiber optic networks work over distance?

Fiber optic networks enable data to travel over much longer distances than other technologies. Because fiber optic signals can travel farther without attenuation than electrical signals on copper cable, fiber optic networks can connect users and businesses at much greater distances from each other.

How do fiber optic networks work for cloud services?

Fiber optic networks can deliver the kind of speed and performance that companies require when moving data, applications and infrastructure to the cloud. By allowing data to travel from on-premises systems to the cloud with minimal latency, fiber optic networks help to ensure superior performance for cloud systems.

How do fiber optic networks work with Spectrum Enterprise?

With fiber optic networks that span 41 states and 32 metropolitan areas, Spectrum Enterprise is a leading provider of fiber solutions for enterprises in virtually every industry. Our fiber optic networks and our solutions for fiber Internet, voice, TV and cloud services enable enterprises to drive innovation, take advantage of opportunity and deliver exceptional experiences for their customers.

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