Cable companies have offered access to plenty of cable TV programs as well as internet access. In most households, cable television is a part of our daily lives. We may use cable for telecommunications, entertainment and internet access. It remains as one of the most dominant media out there. Today, however, cable has a new competitor. It’s called fiber optics. And companies such as Verizon are giving cable companies a run for their money.

So, what is Fiber Optics? Fiber optics is a medium where light is used to transmit data. With cable and electric forms of transmitting data, you find signals transmitted through copper wires. Data that is in the form of bits (e.g. 0,1) are translated into electrical signals. Because electrical signals are not 100 percent efficient, some of the data gets lost, causing slow downs with transmission rates.

Fiber optics transmits data like cable. Instead of copper wires as being the medium, tubes that transmit light carry the transmission signals. This process is called the internal refraction principle. Because the speed of light is the fastest known entity, fiber optics can clearly surpass other form of mediums.

Fiber optics also has some advantages over cable. Coaxial cable is known for its susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Since transmission is done through copper wires, the signals could be interfered by other forms of electricity. However, fiber optics is immune to electromagnetic interference because light is used to transmit the data.

There are security issues with coaxial cables. The cables can leak out information due to magnetic fields. Data is not maintained during the transmission. Although there are ways to shield the cables from the magnet interference, cables become less effective. Fiber optics, however, does not have to worry about exposing data. All transmission is funneled through the fiber optic fiber. It doesn’t radiate an electromagnetic field, which makes it impossible to tap into the signal coming from a radiation. This makes fiber optic as one of the most secure medium for data transmission.

Coaxial cables can produce sparks that may be dangerous for any environment. It could cause fires or harm equipment. With fiber optics, there are no sparks or fire hazards because no electricity is transferred in fiber optics. Because of its nature, fiber optics is safe for installation. In fact, you’ll find more flexibility and ease with this medium.

Fiber optics also has an environmental advantage. They can perform at high speeds despite how cold or hot it is outside. This makes the fiber much more consistent and reliable than coaxial cable. Coaxial cable is composed of metals, which can expand or contract during times of heat and cold. Harsh weather can undermine the cable’s performance.

Fiber optics has many advantages over coaxial cable. Although it’s more expensive, fiber optics can give you the broadband speed that you’re looking for. As fiber optics become more available, you’ll see more videos and downloads of programs for the masses. Contact your local fiber optic provider if you’d more information. With blazing access, you can change how you view cable and the internet.