100% Fiber vs. “Fiber-powered” Connections: They sound similar, but there's really no contest

The biggest buzzword among internet providers these days is “fiber.” That’s because consumers love what

fiber-optic cables can deliver: high-speed, reliable, and efficient internet service connections.

Not all fiber internet is the same, however—not by a long shot. The two primary fiber-optic options available

to consumers are:

1) a 100% fiber to the home (FTTH) internet connection; and

2) a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable (HFC) connection.

The HFC category goes under a number of different names, including “fiber-powered,” “fiber-rich” or

“fiber-fast” internet, but they all fall short of a full 100% fiber connection.

Both promise and deliver higher internet speeds than older, traditional non-fiber technologies. Which one is right for you? That depends on what is available in your area. It’s important first to fully understand the critical differences between the two.

100% Fiber to the Home (FTTH)

Here’s the technical description: a 100% Fiber to the Home connection signifies a network connection where fiber-optic cables extend directly from the service provider's hub (or internet access point) to the consumer’s residence.

Now, the plain talk: 100% fiber means simply what it says. Your home’s internet router is directly connected to the internet with a fiber-optic cable.

This setup (think of it as “fiber all the way”) ensures an uninterrupted flow of data using light signals through dedicated fiber-optic lines. A 100% FTTH connection offers some key advantages:

• Speed & Consistency: The main benefit of FTTH is its unmatched speed. It delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds, which makes it ideal for activities demanding high data transfer rates like video conferencing, gaming, streaming, large file uploads and multiple devices using the internet at the same time. Pure fiber is FAST; it’s typically a requirement for the highest speeds, such as 2 or 5 gig.

• Reliability: Fiber-optic cables aren't affected as much by weather conditions, environmental factors, or other external factors that commonly impact traditional copper-based cables. That means you get a stable, more reliable connection.

• Scalability: Because FTTH connection is more scalable than other broadband technologies, future upgrades as technology advances are easier and happen faster. Networks that aren’t 100% fiber can become outdated or overloaded and may require large overhauls as newer technology emerges.

Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Cable (HFC)

Basically, a HFC internet connection uses a hybrid process to deliver internet service. It combines fiber lines within the overall network, but the final wiring from the neighborhood hub to homes relies on traditional copper cables. This connection provides great benefits but comes with certain setbacks as well.

This configuration provides notable benefits but comes with certain constraints:

• File Transfer Limitations: While fiber-coaxial connections can offer good download speeds, they can not match the upload speeds of a 100% fiber connection. Bandwidth varies depending on the distance from the internet service provider’s hub to the end user's location.
• Sharing Your Connection: In a "fiber-powered" hybrid connection, the speeds to your home can be impacted during periods when all your neighbors are home - for example, Monday nights when everyone is watching football. The further you are from the connection, the less speed you will have at your home.
• Interference Issues: HFC connections, although an improved technology, are more susceptible to signal interference compared to a 100% Fiber network. This can affect service reliability and speed.

Both are Good Choices

If your internet options are between a 100% fiber connection and a hybrid fiber-coaxial connection, it isn’t a right/wrong choice. It’s more about choosing what is best available: 100% fiber internet is undoubtedly the superior product, but fiber-coaxial internet is still far better than non-fiber alternatives. As a rule of thumb, if you can get 100% FTTH, you’ll never go wrong taking that route - it is the best available connection! In addition to internet performance advantages, 100% fiber-connected homes have also been shown to experience enhanced real estate values. Ultimately, as an internet consumer, you’ll want to consider your personal priorities and make an informed decision. Fortunately, the future of high-speed internet connectivity continues to evolve, and the future is 100% Fiber!