Fiber Internet Providers – Everything You Need to Know
Looking for a new Internet provider?
Any discussion about fiber Internet providers needs to begin with information about fiber Internet and the technology behind it. Therefore, without further ado here it is:
Fiber Internet or fiber-optic uses cables consisting of bundled strands of glass. Each glass strand acts as a conduit for light signals to relay digital code from one end to the other at the speed of, you guessed it, light. This allows for Internet speeds that far outpace the speeds capable from DSL or cable since each fiber-optic line can simultaneously carry multiple signals at top speeds. Another advantage of fiber Internet is that it can also bypass congestion, latency, and signal degradation issues that can occur with cable and DSL networks.
FIBER INTERNET PROVIDERS+
Provider | Starting Package Prices | Download Speeds |
Optimum Fiber Internet | $29.99 to $54.99/mo for 1 yr | 100-1000Mbps |
AT&T Fiber Network | $35 to $60/mo for 1yr | 100-1000Mbps |
Verizon Fiber Network | $39.99-$79.99/mo w/ AutoPay for 1yr | 300-1000Mbps |
Xfinity Fiber Network, part of Comcast | $39.99/mo for 1yr and $59.99/mo for 2yrs and $79.99/mo for 24 months* | 100-1200Mbps |
Cox Communications | $29.99-$99.99/mo for 1yr | 10-1000Mbps |
+=Some fiber Internet providers in the Northeast.
*=$79.99 fee requires 3-year agreement, increases to $89.99 for 3rd yr.
Fiber Internet Advantages
- Connection Quality: Fiber optic Internet is resistant to electromagnetic interference, a disturbance caused by electromagnetic radiation from an external source.
- Latency: Fiber’s light signals travel faster than the electrical signals used in cable and DSL, so it takes less time for your information to travel to your provider’s central hub and back. Lower latency means less lag.
- Security: Fiber optic cables offer the most secure connection for your data, unlike wireless and copper lines that can be compromised. A fiber optic network and Internet connectivity can increase protection against cyber-attacks.
Fiber Internet Disadvantages
- Physical Damage: Since fiber is lighter and thinner than a cable, making it a more delicate system. They can also easily be cut. Additionally, fiber optic cables are susceptible to radiation damage or chemical exposure.
- Low Power: Light-emitting fiber optics have limited power. High power emitters can improve the power supply, but add extra cost.
- Distance: The further the distance between the transmitter (router) and receiver the lower the signal. This would necessitate the inclusion of repeaters or extenders to boost the signal.
How fast is fiber Internet?
Fiber Internet can reach up to 2,000 Mbps or 2 GB, however, most fiber providers will offer top speeds of 1,000 Mbps or 1 GB. Fiber allows you to sustain extremely heavy Internet usage along with many advanced online activities. It should be noted that fiber Internet is continuing to improve and eventually you will see speeds dramatically increase as technology improves.
The upload speed that fiber Internet offers sets it apart from cable and DSL upload speeds since the upload speeds for these technologies are much slower than the download speed. However, many more users will use a lot more download data than upload data, making the difference in speeds quite negligible.
Find Fiber providers in your area:
Optimum Fiber Internet availability:
Optimum fiber Internet provides coverage in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and some parts of Pennsylvania. The availability of fiber Internet is dependent upon whether fiber-optic cables have been laid in the area. Enter your mailing address to see if Optimum Fiber Internet is available in your area.
Xfinity Fiber Internet availability
Xfinity Internet is available in 40 states of the US, though not all states have Xfinity Fiber Internet available.
These states have access to XFinity Fiber Internet services, however, not all cities may have Fiber availability within these states.
California | New Jersey |
Colorado | New Mexico |
Delaware | Oregon |
Florida | Pennsylvania |
Georgia | Tennessee |
Illinois | Texas |
Indiana | Utah |
Maryland | Virginia |
Massachusetts | Washington |
Michigan | West Virginia |
Minnesota | |
New Hampshire |
Cox Communications Fiber Internet availability
Cox Communications Internet is available in 18 states of the US, though not all states have Cox Communications Fiber Internet available.
These states have access to Cox Communication Fiber Internet services, however, not all cities may have Fiber availability.
Arizona | Louisiana |
Arkansas | Nebraska |
California | Nevada |
Florida | Ohio |
Georgia | Oklahoma |
Iowa | Rhode Island |
Kansas | Virginia |
Verizon Fios availability
Verizon’s Fios fiber Internet service is available in 19 metro areas on the East Coast:
Albany, NY | Philadelphia, PA |
Baltimore, MD | Pittsburgh, PA |
Boston, MA | Plattsburgh, NY |
Buffalo, NY | Providence, RI |
Delaware | Richmond, VA |
Harrisburg, PA | Salisbury, MD |
Long Island, NY | Staten Island, NY |
New Jersey | Washington, DC |
New York City, NY | |
Norfolk, VA |
AT&T Fiber
AT&T offers both DSL and fiber Internet, but the fiber Internet network is concentrated in 21 states, mostly around urban areas. DSL is provided in more rural locations.
Alabama | Mississippi |
Arkansas | Missouri |
California | Nevada |
Florida | North Carolina |
Georgia | Ohio |
Illinois | Oklahoma |
Indiana | South Carolina |
Kansas | Tennessee |
Kentucky | Texas |
Louisiana | Wisconsin |
Michigan |
How can I get Fiber Internet into my home?
While fiber Internet is the way of the future, getting the service into your home really comes down to location, location, location. Living in an area where fiber Internet service has been placed will allow you to obtain the service. Installing fiber Internet’s infrastructure is expensive, thus Internet providers are reluctant to install it everywhere and they are mostly in cities, which leaves rural areas having to settle for DSL or cable.
The FCC offers data that will allow you to view service provider details to see the areas they cover and the technology they offer. Alternatively, you can enter your mailing address here and determine if Optimum provides fiber Internet in your area.
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