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Last updated: 23/07/2020 | Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

What is fibre optic broadband?

Fibre optic broadband is currently the fastest home and office internet service on the market. Fibre optic broadband technology has surpassed standard broadband capabilities to provide a more pleasant and seamless online experience. If you are eager to have an internet connection that is fast and has little to no interruptions, then fibre optic broadband may be an option for your household or business.

In This Guide:

What is fibre optic broadband?

Fibre optic broadband relies on fibre optic cables to carry communication signals from an operator’s equipment all the way to homes and businesses. It’s a robust technology that’s proven to provide a much better overall internet connection experience.

But, how does it work?

The lines that deliver fibre broadband are, indeed, made of fibre optics (glass or plastic that’s drawn together). The cables involve tiny tubes that look like transparent strands of human hair. They are able to transfer data by sending flashes of light through the tubes, which then bounce off the inner walls to travel along the cable. Once received, these flashes are then interpreted as information.

Because this information (data) is literally travelling at the speed of light, it provides a superiorly fast internet connection. 

What are the benefits of fibre optic broadband?

If you’re considering installing fibre optic broadband but you are unsure, our list of the benefits may help with your decision.

Fibre optic broadband can:

  • Support multiple users and devices at once
  • Provide enough speed so that you can easily stream and download content
  • Be just as affordable as some of the standard connection packages
  • Be more reliable than standard broadband

The only disadvantage of fibre optic broadband is that it’s still currently not available to all UK locations – although cables are being supplied to new areas. A standard broadband connection, also called ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) is available across much of the country.

Are there different types of fibre optic broadband?

There are several different ways that fibre optic broadband can reach your home or office. The most common types being:

  • Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC):  This is where fibre optic cables run to green boxes found on the corner of most streets. This box is what’s referred to as the “cabinet”. Once the cabinet receives the information, it then diverts to the relevant connected homes or offices.  FTTC can be fast but it’s not as fast as FTTP.
  • Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP): This type of connection relies on fibre cables to carry data directly to your property. As there is no other connection (to a cabinet), it is much faster and stable.

How do I get fibre optic broadband?

Although fibre optic broadband is not currently available to all UK locations, major cities and towns have already been supplied with fibre optic connectivity and technology. Unfortunately, many sparsely populated areas are still waiting for fibre cables to be laid.

You can contact an internet service provider in your area to see if fibre is available to you and your location. If it is, then your next step would be to shop around to see what type of fibre optic broadband deals are available and at what cost.

How much does fibre optic broadband cost?

When purchasing a higher-quality service, you can expect to pay a bit more than a standard product. This means that fibre optic broadband will cost more than other connections. The good news, however, is that the price of fibre optic broadband has dropped considerably over the last few years, making it more affordable.  

One important factor that you do need to consider when hunting for the best broadband deals is how much speed you will be getting. As a rule of thumb, the faster your connection, the more you can expect to pay.

How can I find the best fibre broadband deal?

Before you accept the cheapest broadband deal that’s offered to you, it’s best to consider what you want from your super fast connection. We suggest that you keep the following factors in mind whilst weighing up your options:

  • The cost
  • Download and upload speeds
  • Data limits
  • Installation and connection fees
  • Additional charges
  • The terms and length of the contract

If you would like to find reliable quotes and deals from broadband providers but don’t know where to begin – then allow us to be of assistance. We’ve created a free broadband comparison tool that will do all the hard work for you.

Simply fill in a few details and then Money Expert will source quotes from reliable service providers in your area. So, you can easily compare deals and choose a fibre optic broadband package that will suit your needs and budget.