Fiber optic internet has rapidly replaced older copper wire connections. Before renewing or signing a new internet contract, review these FAQs to help select the best service option for your business.

Q: Why is fiber optic service preferable to copper?

A: Bandwidth needs have grown significantly in recent years, while fiber optic prices have gone down. You can often obtain higher bandwidth with fiber optic compared to copper at a similar price.

Q: What are typical bandwidth offerings?

A. Fiber optic service generally offers speeds from 10 Mbps up to 10 Gbps. Copper lines are readily available from 1.5 Mbps to 10 Mbps, and sometimes up to 50 or 100 Mbps. However, this depends on the distance to the telecom office that manages your copper line.

Q: Is fiber optic service difficult and expensive to install?

A: This is no longer the case. Many providers are expanding their service areas and are eager to acquire customers, particularly in office buildings with multiple tenants. Fiber optic may already be accessible nearby, minimizing or eliminating installation costs. Availability in rural areas is less common, except for cell towers that need fiber optic bandwidth for 4G LTE service.

Q: What is the difference between SONET and Ethernet over Fiber?

A: These are two technologies that use fiber optic cables. SONET, an older standard used by telephone companies, requires a connection to your provider’s router or a special module for your router. Ethernet over Fiber (EoF) utilizes standard Ethernet protocol for long-distance connections. EoF is a newer technology that is quickly expanding globally. When available, Ethernet pricing is generally lower than comparable SONET service.

Q: What SONET service levels are available?

A: Specific Optical Carrier (OC) levels are available, including OC-3 at 155 Mbps, OC-12 at 622 Mbps, OC-24 at 1.2 Gbps, OC-48 at 2.4 Gbps, OC-192 at 10 Gbps, and rarely, OC-768 at 40 Gbps.

Q: What are the available service levels for Ethernet over Fiber?

A: Ethernet was designed to be adaptable, offering a wide range of bandwidth options in small increments. Common service levels include 10 Mbps (equivalent to standard 10 Mbps LAN Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), 1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet), and 10 Gbps (10 GigE).

Q: What distinguishes SONET and Ethernet interfaces?

A: SONET utilizes specific interface cards for each service level. Ethernet connections have a port with maximum speed and standard copper or fiber optic Ethernet jacks. For example, a commonly installed Gigabit Ethernet port can handle bandwidths from 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.

Q: Why would I choose SONET over the more scalable and cost-effective Ethernet option?

A: The answer often comes down to accessibility. SONET, having been around longer, might already be installed in your building or on nearby lines. SONET is also a suitable choice for specialized uses like high-volume phone lines. For dedicated internet or point-to-point private lines, either option works.

Are you interested in exploring fiber optic service options for your business? If so, you can get instant online pricing up to 1 Gbps and optional consultation with a bandwidth expert.

You may also want to read Fiber Optic Service FAQs, Part 2 and Part 3.