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Fiber internet is a connection that uses light, rather than electric signals, to transfer data along fiber-optic cables. These “cables” are thin, transparent glass fibers that transmit data at the speed of light. Fiber offers the fastest speeds, delivers the greatest home coverage, and supports the most device connectivity among connection types. However, since it’s not as widely available as DSL and cable internet, it makes up only 1 in 5 internet subscribers nationwide.
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Starting Price | Data Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 1000 Mbps | $35.00/mo. | Yes |
| CenturyLink | 940 Mbps | $50.00/mo. | No |
| Cox | 1000 Mpbs | $29.99/mo. | Yes |
| Spectrum | 1000 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | No |
| Xfinity | 2000 Mbps | $29.99/mo. | Yes |
| Verizon | 940 Mbps | $39.99/mo. | No |
| Provider | AT&T |
|---|---|
| Max Download Speed | 1000 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $35.00/mo. |
| Data Caps | Yes |
| Provider | CenturyLink |
| Max Download Speed | 940 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $50.00/mo. |
| Data Caps | No |
| Provider | Cox |
| Max Download Speed | 1000 Mpbs |
| Starting Price | $29.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | Yes |
| Provider | Spectrum |
| Max Download Speed | 1000 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $49.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | No |
| Provider | Xfinity |
| Max Download Speed | 2000 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $29.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | Yes |
| Provider | Verizon |
| Max Download Speed | 940 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $39.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | No |
*Data sourced 7/5/21. Pricing and speeds may vary by provider and location.
It’s safe to say fiber internet is superior to other connection types. Yet, choosing the right plan for you comes down to your unique lifestyle. With faster speeds to support multiple connected devices and heavy usage, it offers reliable internet access without common headaches such as dead spots, buffering, and throttling. However, due to its higher cost and limited availability, it isn’t for everyone.
Households with basic internet usage may not need fiber. However, for homes with larger families, digital influencers, or online gamers, it’s a definite game-changer. It’s also ideal for distance learning and remote work. Activities like these require more bandwidth to support frequent video conferences and file uploads.
As the latest technology, Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable connection available. Overall, fiber offers the highest speed options, supports more connected devices at one time, and delivers full home coverage compared to other connection types. Typically, speeds range from 250 Mbps up to 1,000 Mbps and can come with equal upload and download speeds. However, fiber availability is fairly limited in the U.S., which causes fiber plans to cost more than other internet options. Market research firm RVA released a 2019 study on broadband advancement that revealed just one-third (48 million) of U.S. households have access to fiber. Of those, only 20.5 million actually subscribe to fiber service today.
Although fiber is considered superior to DSL and cable connections, it’s fairly new technology. Fiber requires new infrastructure as it relies on fiber-optic cables to transmit data. On the other hand, DSL and cable connections run off pre-existing phone and TV lines, which is why they are generally cheaper and more accessible than fiber service.
Symmetrical speeds refer to internet plans that offer equal upload and download speeds. This typically costs more than traditional internet packages and is only available with a fiber internet connection.
This depends on many factors including your digital habits, home size, and the number of connected devices. You can learn about what internet speeds fit your lifestyle and more in our HighSpeedOptions Resource library.
Fiber internet prices and plans vary by location and provider. However, you can expect to see higher costs for fiber than you would DSL or cable connections. If fiber is available where you live, the cost can range anywhere from $40/mo. to $150/mo. depending on what plan you select.
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