What Is Fiber Internet, and How Does It Impact the IoT?

As the internet has grown, so too have the ways users can access it. Fiber connections have quickly become a popular option in consumer circles, and they have promising applications in commercial usage, too. But what is fiber internet exactly, and how can organizations benefit from it?

What Is Fiber Internet?

Fiber internet uses fiber optic cables to transfer data between devices. It functions like the cable systems powering most connections in that underground wires send signals to and from devices that then create a wireless local network. However, fiber optics sends them as light through glass or plastic, whereas cable internet relies on electrical signals over a copper wire.

Today, just 17% of U.S. broadband users have a fiber optic service, but this number is growing. More than 2 million homes added such a connection in 2023 alone. Other nations have seen even stronger growth, with 75% of Brazilian broadband customers using fiber internet.

Businesses can capitalize on fiber in a few ways. The most straightforward is to switch out a conventional cable-powered Wi-Fi network for a fiber optic one. Industrial facilities can also create their own in-building fiber systems by running optical cables between devices. In either case, the technology has significant implications for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Benefits of Fiber Internet

Once it’s clear what fiber internet is, its advantages become clearer. Sending signals via light instead of electricity offers several meaningful improvements for users of all types.

High Speeds

The biggest benefit of fiber internet is that it’s far faster than alternatives. It can achieve speeds up to 22.9 petabits per second in research environments — more than 1,000 times that of average connections. In the real world, speeds usually don’t reach that peak, but fiber often delivers beyond one to two gigabits per second (Gbps).

Fiber optics can reach such extremes thanks to their reliance on light. While signals don’t travel at the full speed of light, they do get close, with many estimates placing them at around 70% to 75% of the limit. As fast as electrical pulses may be, they cannot physically reach that level.

Once signals reach the end user, the user’s hardware can limit the speeds their devices will experience. However, raising the baseline offers much more room to grow as routers and modems advance.

Reliability

Another benefit of fiber optic connections is that they’re reliable. Electrical wires are prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other electronic devices. As the number of gadgets in the world rises, so does EMI, making interruptions an increasingly prevalent problem. Optical cables don’t have this issue.

Because fiber internet uses light instead of electrical pulses, it’s immune to EMI. Interference may cause some issues once end users’ hardware translates these signals into a local network, but there’s no disruption before then.

The IoT stands to gain much from this reliability. Cellular networks offer long ranges but are less reliable, while Bluetooth connections are strong but transmit limited data. Fiber offers an ideal balance between needed characteristics like speed and reliability.

Symmetrical Uploads and Downloads

A more unique upside to fiber internet is that it’s symmetrical. Most alternative connection types offer faster download speeds than uploads. Fiber, by contrast, typically provides equal upload and download rates.

In consumer applications, symmetry may not make a noticeable difference, as things like streaming and browsing social media mostly depend on downloads. Commercial use cases are different. Businesses’ IoT networks need to transfer significant data volumes between devices, requiring a greater upload speed.

Fiber’s symmetry means users can ensure devices send and receive information at equal rates. When that happens, the IoT becomes more functional, as it results in less latency in inter-device communications. Real-time processes like collision avoidance, inventory tracking and flexible automation all become increasingly reliable with this performance improvement.

What Fiber Internet Means for the IoT

These advantages give fiber internet an edge over alternative connection types for commercial IoT applications. However, some downsides remain. Businesses must consider both sides to determine if fiber is the right platform for their IoT needs.

Benefits of Fiber IoT

Powering an IoT network through fiber internet has the obvious advantage of higher speeds. Devices will be able to communicate with each other with less delay despite higher data volumes. Large facilities like factories or multi-level offices, in particular, will gain much from this connectivity.

The speed and interference resistance of fiber also have cybersecurity benefits. Faster, reliable connections leave fewer opportunities for criminals to intercept sensitive data. While it’s not a complete solution in itself, any security improvement is welcome, considering almost half of all ransomware attacks target critical infrastructure organizations.

Direct, in-building fiber networks offer further advantages. Industrial facilities can connect endpoints through optical cables to minimize EMI and latency. Businesses could also create a hybrid IoT system, using fiber optics for critical but nearby connections to leave more bandwidth for applications requiring wireless connectivity.

Downsides to Fiber IoT

Companies must also consider the disadvantages of fiber-powered IoT networks to make an informed decision. The most significant barrier is the same as many newer technologies — cost. Fiber internet service is often more expensive than conventional alternatives, and installing an in-building fiber network will require substantial investment in the necessary infrastructure.

Availability is another concern. Not every area has access to fiber, as providers must lay underground cables to bring it to a neighborhood, which is a slow, expensive process. Hybrid services using coaxial cables to bridge the last-mile gap between fiber networks and end users are more widely available but aren’t as fast.

Finally, it’s important to remember that fiber is typically a baseline connection for Wi-Fi networks. Wireless IoT connections are only possible with this technology if they use Wi-Fi or a related protocol to translate the optical signals into radiofrequency waves. Consequently, organizations must realize that typical Wi-Fi IoT pros and cons apply to these installations.

Fiber Connections Could Take the IoT to New Heights

Now that it’s clear what fiber internet is and how it impacts the IoT, businesses can decide if it’s right for their operations. Overall, the technology offers impressive speed, reliability, functionality and security benefits but is not always the best option. Companies should compare these pros and cons to their specific needs to find an IoT platform that works for them.