By: John Shepler

Fiber optic bandwidth has become the top choice for business private lines and internet connections. It offers a practically unlimited capacity with minimal latency, packet loss, and jitter. Prices are now more competitive than before, provided you don’t encounter high construction costs.

Why Fiber Can Involve Construction Expenses

Businesses accustomed to T1 lines, Ethernet over Copper, or business cable might be surprised by quotes that include substantial construction costs for installing a fiber line. While twisted pair copper lines rarely incur such charges because telephone companies generally install them during a building’s construction, fiber installation often happens later.

Since fiber is frequently added to existing buildings, it might involve overhead installation on poles or underground tunneling beneath roads and sidewalks, which can be costly, especially if the closest fiber point of presence is far away.

Similar charges can apply to business cable installations if the cable doesn’t reach your building. Although usually less expensive than fiber, costs can escalate if the cable source is distant.

Situations Where Construction Costs Don’t Apply

Don’t assume you’ll face hefty construction fees if your building has never had fiber before. There are scenarios where these costs might be nonexistent, already covered, or even waived.

Look for “fiber-lit” buildings, where fiber service providers have already installed and activated fiber infrastructure. The term “lit” signifies that the fiber is operational and ready for data transmission.

Once uncommon, fiber-lit buildings have become increasingly prevalent. As demand for business bandwidth surged, numerous competitive carriers established fiber optic networks and started connecting buildings. Often, the initial provider to offer services secures most of the business, making the building less appealing to competitors.

Near Net vs On Net

Having your building “on-net” with a fiber company is ideal. The next best option is being “near-net,” meaning a nearby building is fiber-lit and serviced. This proximity is advantageous because connecting buildings is relatively affordable. Your construction costs could be minimal or waived if the carrier aims to serve your building. Having other tenants in your building request service can further incentivize the carrier.

Alternative Solutions

If fiber remains financially unfeasible, other options exist. In metropolitan areas, wireless microwave companies can provide fiber-like speeds without physical cables, requiring only a small antenna on your building. Ethernet over Copper can deliver speeds up to 30-50 Mbps using existing twisted pair wires, with speed varying depending on your distance from the telephone company’s office. Business cable is another possibility, with the latest DOCSIS standards offering shared bandwidth speeds ranging from hundreds of Mbps to Gigabit speeds.

Finding the Best Connection Deal

It’s advisable to gather quotes from various service providers, not just your local phone or fiber company. A bandwidth broker like Telarus, Inc., with its extensive network of providers, can obtain competitive quotes from multiple sources.

Requesting a fiber optic service quote is simple: use the online form or call toll-free: 888-848-8749. Their bandwidth consultants will gather quotes and guide you toward the most suitable service for your business.