How does fibre optics work? Simply explained

Maybe you have already asked yourself how a fibre optic cable works. In this context, it is also interesting to know what advantages it brings with it

How does fibre work: what you should know

Fibre optic cables are supposed to be the future for fast internet. They are a replacement for the previously applied copper cables that provide your household with internet.

• Fibre optic cables consist of many individual optical fibres that are bundled together. Each of them has an important function and only when they work together do they achieve the desired data transmission.

• Glass fibre is usually made of quartz sand, which can conduct light waves over long distances.

• Unlike copper cable, which uses electricity to transmit data, fibre optic cable uses optical signals to send data.

• So data is sent from a transmitter to the receiver in the form of light waves at the speed of light. The special sheathing of the fibre optic cables prevents this data from being lost along the way.

• Because light weakens over long distances, there are always repeaters along the way, which make it possible for super fast internet to run in your home.

This way you can also benefit from fibre optics

To benefit from fibre too, you should know how to get access to it.

• To make this happen, you need a house delivery point, a network termination as well as a router.
• The house delivery point is the place where the fibre optic cable is laid into your household. Usually this is installed in the basement and you have this done by a professional.
• After that, you take care of the mains termination. This is connected directly to the house transfer point. These terminations are important because only through them can the light signals be converted back into electrical signals.
• Once this network termination has been installed, the only thing missing is the appropriate router. Once this has been set up, you can start surfing.

Advantages of fibre

To make the decision whether you also want a fibre optic connection, you should know the benefits.

• As mentioned above, fibre offers super fast internet, which unlike copper lines, does not lose data along the way.

• In addition, the value of your property will increase if you have a fibre connection, as this will be the future.

• Even if many people in your household use the internet, you will not experience any limitations with fibre.
• Fibre optic cables are also more environmentally friendly than copper cables, as they conserve resources and use less energy.