Do you know how your internet service is delivered? It’s an important question, and you’re about to find out why.
Your connection is established by a fiber-optic or coaxial cable that comes into your home or business, unless your service is through a satellite provider. There are big differences between these cables, and the cable you have determines the quality of your internet service.
Fiber-Optic Cable Defined:
Fiber-optic cable, fiber for short, contains thin glass fibers that use light to carry data. Because light is the delivery method, fiber is very powerful with the capacity to transmit substantial amounts of information. The use of light enables a fiber-optic cable to offer higher bandwidth than a coaxial cable. Fiber’s dedicated connection provides high-speed internet continually without slowing down.
Coaxial Cable Defined:
Coaxial cable mostly consists of copper and uses electricity to carry data. Although arguably better than some internet delivery methods, coaxial cable doesn’t match fiber’s capabilities. A home or business is connected to the provider’s network via a modem, and the service delivered is usually a shared connection, as the bandwidth supplied is distributed among all customers within a defined segment, such as a neighborhood.
Fiber Speeds:
It’s SuperFast. Homes can get up to a Gig (1,000 Mbps), and businesses can get up to 10 Gigs (10,000 Mbps) with the right provider. And just how fast is that? Well, with a Gig, you can download an HD movie in 6 seconds, 1,000 photos in 2 seconds and an online game in 20 seconds!
When considering the speed you need, evaluate your internet habits and how many devices are being used at your location. The results may surprise you. Chariton Valley offers affordable speed packages to ensure you get the speed that best fits your specific needs.
Plus, when fiber service is paired with a router, users enjoy the freedom of Wi-Fi. A router is included in some internet service providers’ plans. Chariton Valley, for example, includes a GigaRouter, an enterprise carrier grade Wi-Fi router, in all our plans for a small monthly fee to ensure wireless networks stay in proper working condition.
Coaxial Cable Speeds:
In comparison, the data speed provided by coaxial cables can’t compete with the speed of fiber. As previously mentioned, service delivered by a coaxial cable is typically a shared connection. When users in the assigned group are simultaneously online, speed can slow down due to throttling.
The required modem can be connected to a router to supply a wireless connection. In some cases, one device serves as both the modem and router.
Other Considerations:
Fiber also appeals to consumers over coaxial cable for many other reasons. Below are just a few examples.
- Reliability – There aren’t outages or interruptions during poor weather conditions.
- Sustainability – Fiber is future-proof with its capability to handle the introduction of new devices and technologies. As data demands increase, the same fiber today will adapt, while coaxial cable service will undoubtedly regress further.
- Bandwidth Symmetry – Uniform upload and download speed is a significant advantage of fiber. In contrast to coaxial cable service, fiber’s balanced speed removes lag time and allows for data to be sent as fast as it is received.
- Affordability – Yep! It costs less than or equal to other services, but you get so much more!
- Security – Fiber provides the MOST security. The only way to penetrate it is to break it.
- Increased Property Values – Statistics on fiber’s positive impact on property values are readily available. For example:
- Homes with fiber access can have a 3% increase in value.*
- Homes with access to speeds up to one Gig can have a 1.8% increase in value.*
- Homes with access to both can have a 3.1% increase in value.*
There is lots of information out there comparing fiber-optic cable with coaxial cable. Look for legitimate sources when doing your research, such as BroadbandNow.com.
Now, Let’s Put it All Together
Fiber is by far the better choice. It provides a dedicated connection with consistent speed, higher bandwidth and many other benefits.
Chariton Valley, a Smart Rural Community® Gig-Capable Provider, is leading Missouri and much of the nation in the deployment of fiber. We are making it possible for the people living in unserved and underserved areas to not only have what is needed but to have better user experiences along the way.
Contact us at 660-395-9000 to sign up or visit www.cvfiber.cvalley.net. And if you’ve already signed up, we thank you and congratulate you for soon having the best service around. Don’t forget to be a CV Fiber Community Champion by encouraging your neighbors to sign up too.
Go Further… Go Faster… GO FIBER!
*Source: Molnar, G., Savage, S., & Sicker, D. (2015). Reevaluating the Broadband Bonus: Evidence from Neighborhood Access to Fiber and United States Housing Prices.
