Do you know how your internet service is delivered? It’s an important question, and you’re about to find out why.
Your connection is established by a fiber-optic or coaxial cable that comes into your home or business, unless your service is through a satellite provider. There are big differences between these cables, and the cable you have determines the quality of your internet service.
Fiber-Optic Cable Defined:
Fiber-optic cable, fiber for short, contains thin glass fibers that use light to carry data. Because light is the delivery method, fiber is very powerful with the capacity to transmit substantial amounts of information. The use of light enables a fiber-optic cable to offer higher bandwidth than a coaxial cable. Fiber’s dedicated connection provides high-speed internet continually without slowing down.
Coaxial Cable Defined:
Coaxial cable mostly consists of copper and uses electricity to carry data. Although arguably better than some internet delivery methods, coaxial cable doesn’t match fiber’s capabilities. A home or business is connected to the provider’s network via a modem, and the service delivered is usually a shared connection, as the bandwidth supplied is distributed among all customers within a defined segment, such as a neighborhood.
What are the different types of fibre optic cables?
The optical fiber cable is classified based on three factors – the refractive index, the materials used, and the mode of propagation of light.
The basis of the refractive index OFC is of two types:
Step Index Fibers: It comprises a core enclosed by the cladding, which has a single uniform index of refraction.
Graded Index Fibers:The refractive index of the optical fiber decreases as the radial distance from the fiber axis increases.
Based on materials, OFC is of two types:
Plastic Optical Fibers:The poly(methyl methacrylate) is used as a core material for the transmission of light.
Based on the mode of propagation of light, OFC is divided into:
Single-Mode Fibers: Used for long-distance transmission of signals.
Multimode Fibers:Used for short-distance transmission of signals.