When it comes to choosing the right fiber optic system, there are many factors to consider and many options to weigh out. In order to find the best fiber optic system, you’ll need to consider how you plan on using it, your budget, and more.
It’s important to choose the best fiber optic system if you want to get the most out of your internet connection and enjoy higher quality audio and video streaming. The following guide will help you understand what makes one fiber optic system better than another and will provide some tips on how to shop smartly for one that will meet your needs without breaking the bank.
What is fiber optics?
Fiber optics is a transmission medium that uses glass fibers to carry information. A fiber optic system is a network of two or more points connected by fiber optic cables. Different types of connections can be established depending on how far apart you want each point to be, as well as other considerations such as total amount of information capacity required.
Fiber optic systems are common because they have a wide range of transmission capacity and digital data communications capability, including fast bandwidth.
Benefits of fiber optics over other cables
Fiber optic cables have significantly greater bandwidth and longer lengths than coaxial or copper cables. They are also lighter and easier to route through walls and ceilings, less expensive to install, impervious to electromagnetic interference (EMI), do not require signal regeneration, and do not degrade over time.
Fiber optic systems are great for expanding networks where signal degradation is a concern due to long distances between nodes. In fact, fiber optics is one of only two options for transmitting light-based signals across oceans.
Fiber optic installations
Choosing a fiber optic system for your business is difficult and can be expensive if you make mistakes. You need to choose between installing a new cable, upgrading an existing line or leasing a line from an Internet service provider (ISP).
With so many options available, how do you know which one is right for your business? Get in touch with our Excel Wireless experts to know the best option for your business at no additional costs.
How does the actual installation happen?
Once you’ve narrowed down your options and found a vendor that can provide you with everything you need, it’s time to start installing your system.
If all goes according to plan, installation should be pretty straightforward: your cable provider will set up a meeting with an installer who will confirm all of your details before beginning the work. The installation should supposedly complete in less than a day.
Choose a suitable fiber optic system
All fiber optic systems are not created equal. Different kinds of fiber, different connectors, and different installation techniques affect both cost and performance. The best way to get a firm grasp on what kind of system you need is to contact your local network provider and ask for their recommendations based on your location and needs.
You can also call some potential contractors directly to ask about their offerings or book a consultation with a manufacturer’s representative in your area.
What are installation costs?
Fiber optic cables are becoming a bigger part of everyday communication. That’s great news if you’re an Internet service provider (ISP) or telecommunications company, but it can mean extra costs for your business if you don’t plan ahead. Choosing a system with higher bandwidth can help reduce those costs in the long run, but it will also increase setup and installation fees.
Questions you should ask your service provider
Don’t be afraid to ask your service provider a lot of questions about their fiber optic systems and which one is right for you. They should be able to tell you which system is best for your circumstances, how much it will cost and how long it will take them to install. Here are some questions that might help:
- Are there any set-up costs associated with starting service?
- How many steps are involved in setting up an account?
- What types of payment options do you accept? Will my location need to be wired in order for me to have internet access?
- How long will it take before I can start using my new account?
- Are there different price options depending on what type of internet service I want (i.e., satellite vs DSL)? If so, what factors affect my bill each month (usage amount and speed) as well as installation fees?
Conclusion
Choosing a fiber optic system is all about how it will best fit into your company’s current and future needs. You should always consider budget, but what other factors are most important? If you want help choosing or installing a fiber optic system, look for an integrator that specializes in your industry.
Most importantly, remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to communication challenges—the first step is to figure out exactly what it is you need from your new network. That’s a big step towards making sure you get a network built just for you.