These days providers advertise “fibre” almost everywhere. But the same word hides several different things, and not all of them are equally good. Let us explain what fibre really is, why it makes sense and what to watch for, so you do not pay for something other than you expect.

What a fibre connection is

Classic internet reaches you as an electrical signal along a copper wire (a phone line or the coaxial cable from your TV). Fibre instead sends data as light through a strand as thin as a hair. Light carries many times more data over a greater distance and is not bothered by electrical interference nearby. That is exactly why fibre is faster and, above all, more stable.

In practice this gives you:

  • a high and steady speed regardless of how far you live from the exchange,
  • low latency, which calls, gaming and video calls appreciate,
  • a much faster upload than older lines,
  • a reserve for the future: the speed can be raised by changing the end devices, while the fibre itself stays.

Watch where the strand actually reaches

This is the most important point and one that adverts like to gloss over. “Fibre” can mean two quite different things:

  • FTTH, fibre all the way to the flat or house. The strand comes straight to you. This is full-value fibre with all its benefits.
  • Fibre only to a cabinet or into a block (FTTC/FTTB). The strand ends somewhere in the street or in the basement and the last stretch to you runs over an old copper cable. Speed and stability then depend on the length of that stretch and tend to be lower.

If you have a choice, always go for fibre all the way to the home.

What the ONT is and where your router sits

At home the fibre plugs into a small box called an ONT. It converts light into an ordinary network (Ethernet) signal that the router and computers understand. Behind the ONT you can happily place your own quality router for better Wi-Fi and more control over the network (more in the article Provider router vs your own).

Fast download and upload

Good fibre often offers a symmetrical speed, meaning equally fast downloading and uploading. On older lines the upload was usually several times slower. Fast upload is handy for cloud backup, working from home, video calls and remote access to cameras. If you are working out how much speed you really need, we have a separate article on that.

What to check before signing the contract

  • Is it really FTTH into the home, or only to a cabinet?
  • What speed is guaranteed (not “up to”), and is it symmetrical?
  • Can you use your own router, or are you tied to the provider’s device?
  • Where will the ONT sit and how will the fibre get into the house?

So you actually benefit from fibre

Fast fibre is only the start. For you to feel that speed on every device, your network and Wi-Fi inside the house have to match it. A weak router or poorly covered Wi-Fi can cut even gigabit fibre to a fraction.

Planning a switch to fibre or not sure what your provider actually offers? Get in touch and we will advise, or design and set up the network in your home.