What is a Fiber Router?

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Updated August 10, 2022

If you are experimenting with advanced wireless networks, you may wonder what is a fiber router. Some of the best routers, after all, are built to excel with fiber networks. So what is a fiber router and what are the advantages of using one? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • A fiber wireless router is a purpose-built router that integrates with a fiber optic modem to deliver a fiber Wi-Fi network from your Internet service provider.
  • A fiber wireless router is not necessary for fiber Internet, but a traditional router will need an adapter to make the optical network terminal connected to an Ethernet cable.
  • A fiber Internet service, such as Google Fiber, offers faster speeds, better reliability, and bigger bandwidths than regular routers.

Definition of a Fiber Optic Router

A fiber optic router, otherwise known as a fiber router, is a device specifically designed to optimize a fiber-based Internet connection. You can use any router with a fiber-optic Internet signal, but you could need an adapter of some kind. Plus, a fiber router truly offers some significant advantages over traditional models.

Insider Tip

Fiber is not available in every location throughout the country, so call your ISP for more information.

Speed

An overwhelming need for speed is likely the reason you signed up for fiber Internet in the first place, and a traditional router could act as a bottleneck to that speed increase. A fiber router, on the other hand, is the perfect accompaniment to a fiber modem, maximizing connection speed to pull your wireless connection in line with your wired fiber connection.

Bandwidth Increase

Fiber-optic Internet also allows for significant bandwidth increases, allowing you to play more, watch more, and download more, all at the same time. The actual specifics of this bandwidth increase vary from router to router, modem to modem, and ISP to ISP. This increase does come in particularly handy if you are, say, learning how to set up two networks with one router or how to delete a WiFi network from a router.

Reliability

One of the best parts about fiber Internet is that fiber not only increases the speed of your connection but the reliability of these fast connections. In other words, fiber routers create fewer dropouts than traditional routers, like the Verizon G1100 and G3100. However, increased reliability does not lessen your need for network security, if you are learning how to protect your WiFi from hackers.

Specific Support

Again, fiber routers are purpose-built to integrate with fiber modems. This is crucial because fiber Internet works differently from traditional Internet, as it uses focused beams of light instead of a coaxial signal. A fiber router includes an actual port for this connection, so you won’t need an adapter that translates Ethernet into fiber optic signals or vice versa. It should be a truly plug-and-play experience, so long as you have a fiber optic modem and the accompanying service plan. It has nothing to do with the open ports on the back of your router or if you have a DD-WRT router. The goal is to make sure whichever router you have, works with fiber internet.

F.A.Q.S

What do you need to install fiber-optic Internet?

You’ll need to contact a company such as Google Fiber for wireless network installation, you’ll need the modem or related single device, and adequate setup.


Why would you choose a fiber router?

Fiber routers are great to integrate with fiber modems. If you have a fiber Internet service, such as Google Fiber, you’ll want a good fiber router to go with the Internet connection to create a fiber wireless network.


How to get fiber to your area?

To get a fiber Wi-Fi network in your area instead of an old-fashioned Ethernet cable, like Google Fiber, contact companies directly and ask about fiber service.



STAT: DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, uses copper phone lines to transmit the internet service. (source)

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