If you work in the technology sector or keep a close eye on emerging technologies, you won’t have missed terms such as ‘FTTP broadband’ and ‘fibre optic broadband’ being discussed as the next big thing in internet connections for homes and businesses. But what do these FTTP (fibre to the premises) connections involve, and why do they represent a step up from current broadband services?
In the next few years, it’s expected that FTTP broadband – which is delivered via fibre optic cables capable of storing significantly larger amounts of data than standard copper lines – will usurp earlier and slower broadband connections and become the new standard. The domination of fibre broadband is also being secured thanks to government initiatives in the UK and other countries. Such initiatives been introduced to ensure there will be sufficient infrastructure in place to deliver these advanced broadband connections to people from all walks of life, as broadband internet is increasingly recognised as an essential commodity in the modern world.
Fibre optic broadband has a number of distinct advantages over DSL broadband. The most talked about of these is speed, with fibre lines being capable of sending and receiving larger amounts of data at much greater speeds than previously, but the advantages don’t end there. These cables are also much more reliable and less likely to cut out and cause server downtime, which currently costs businesses large amounts of time and money as well as frustration. The nature of fibre optic cables also means home and business users will no longer be reliant on the distance of their property from the broadband provider’s premises, which has a distinct effect on the amount of data that can be received over copper cables at present.
As online content becomes ever more sophisticated and requires higher bandwidth to access, the greater speeds and capabilities of fibre broadband will ultimately make it a necessary utility for accessing websites and other internet services. The scalability of fibre broadband also means the technology is unlikely to be usurped in the near future, leading commentators to label it ‘future-proof.’ This assessment offers further assurance to those considering upgrading their broadband connections to FTTP in the next few years.
Fibre optic broadband is already widely available in many areas, and you can check whether your property is able to receive this advanced service at present by entering your postcode or other address details onto suppliers’ websites. Keeping up with the latest developments in the great fibre broadband roll-out will let you know when you’ll be able to say goodbye to slower broadband and start benefiting from better service.