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Fiber optic – Brief definition

Optical fibers are, as the name suggests, thin strands of glass. Cables with strands of optical fibers play a significant role in telecommunications, as they enable high-capacity and high-speed data transmission.

Fiber optic connections are considered the gold standard in networking technology, as they enable high speeds even over longer distances while being less susceptible to interference. They are therefore the more powerful alternative to traditional DSL connections.


In the professional sector, fiber optic cables are already established, among other things, in the backbone networks of Internet Service Providers, large companies, and universities. For private households, availability varies by region. However, the expansion is picking up pace. The so-called copper-to-fiber migration is now also being promoted by policymakers.


A position paper from the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization outlines plans for the transition from DSL to fiber optics and the decommissioning of copper networks. It is expected that Germany will see the first model regions transition to fiber optics in 2028. The nationwide switch is anticipated to be completed between 2035 and 2040, with the copper network being fully shut down.

How does fiber optic internet work?

In fiber optic connections, light signals are transmitted through fiber optic cables:

  • A router translates electrical signals into light pulses using a laser diode.
  • These light pulses are transmitted through the fiber optic cable in the form of bundled light waves. A special coating ensures reduced light refraction and thus enables nearly lossless transmission.
  • At the fiber optic connection point (ONT; Optical Network Termination), the light pulses are converted back into electrical signals and then forwarded in the local network.

Advantages and disadvantages of fiber-optic Internet

Advantages

  • High Speed: Fiber optics enable transmission rates of up to 10 Gbps.
  • Lower Signal Losses: Compared to copper cables, signal losses in fiber optics are minimal.
  • Resilience: Fiber optic cables are immune to electromagnetic interference, as no electrically conductive material is used.

Disadvantages

  • Availability: Unlike DSL connections, fiber-optic access is not yet available in every household and requires the initial expansion of the local network.
  • New Hardware: The switch to fiber optics often also requires the purchase of a new router.
  • Costs: At least currently, fiber optic contracts are often more expensive compared to DSL alternatives.

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