What is fiber optic internet?
Fiber optics is a transmission technology in which data is transmitted as pulses of light through very thin glass fibers. It enables high bandwidth for both downloads and uploads and can carry large amounts of data simultaneously. With FTTH, the fiber optic line extends to the residential or commercial building and, where the property has been appropriately connected, to the connection point within the individual unit.
How does a fiber optic connection work?
A fiber optic connection transmits digital data using light instead of electrical signals over copper lines. The Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) describes optical fibers as extremely thin glass light guides through which data is transmitted using pulses of light. Multiple individual fibers can be combined into a fiber optic cable.
The fundamental difference compared with older fixed-network technologies is therefore the transmission medium:
| Technology | Transmission | Typical characteristic |
| Fiber optics | Light pulses through optical fibers | Very high transmission capacity |
| DSL over copper | Electrical signals over copper lines | Performance depends, among other factors, on the line |
| Cable connection | Electrical signals over coaxial cable | High bandwidths are possible, but the technical architecture differs from FTTH |
OFCOM notes that copper and coaxial lines can provide high performance but are subject to physical limitations. Fiber optics can transmit more data simultaneously and at high speeds.
What are the benefits of fiber optic internet?
The main advantage of fiber optics is its high transmission capacity for large amounts of data being transferred simultaneously. OFCOM therefore considers fiber optic networks to be a suitable long-term infrastructure for the growing bandwidth requirements of internet, video, and voice services.
The following characteristics are particularly relevant for a residential internet connection:
- High potential download speeds
- High potential upload speeds
- High capacity for multiple applications running simultaneously
- A strong foundation for higher bandwidth requirements in the future
However, a fast fiber optic connection does not automatically mean that every device in your home will achieve that speed. Wi-Fi, routers, network cables, and end devices can limit the speed actually available. Swisscom, for example, points out that home network performance can be limited by the slowest component involved.
What does FTTH mean for fiber optics?
FTTH stands for “Fiber to the Home” and refers to a network in which fiber optic lines are extended to residential or commercial buildings. OFCOM explicitly uses FTTH to describe this type of fiber optic deployment.
With an FTTH connection, a connected apartment typically has a fiber optic outlet. In Switzerland, this is also known as an OTO, or Optical Telecommunications Outlet. The corresponding OTO ID uniquely identifies the fiber optic outlet.
The exact meaning of FTTH and the OTO ID are covered separately on dedicated Grounding Pages.
Is fiber optic internet always faster than copper?
Fiber optics enables significantly higher bandwidths, but the actual internet speed depends on the plan you subscribe to and the infrastructure available at your location. A fiber optic connection therefore does not automatically operate at the highest technically possible speed.
An existing copper connection may also be sufficient for browsing, streaming, working from home, and other everyday applications. However, fiber optics provides greater capacity for high speeds and large amounts of data.
Green's current internet offering provides fiber optic speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s, depending on the connection type available. The technology and speed available at a specific address must be checked individually.
How can you check whether fiber optic internet is available?
Fiber optic availability depends on whether your specific address has been connected to the fiber optic network. The presence of a fiber optic network in a municipality does not automatically mean that every individual apartment is already connected and ready for service. You should therefore check the connection technology and speed available at your address before choosing an internet plan.
FAQ
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Is fiber the same as fiber optics?
Yes. In the context of internet connections, “fiber” is the commonly used English term for fiber optics. Terms such as fiber internet and fiber optic internet therefore refer to the same basic transmission technology. FTTH more specifically describes a network architecture in which the fiber optic line extends to a residential or commercial building.
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Do I need a special router for fiber optic internet?
A fiber optic connection requires suitable connection hardware. The specific setup depends on the network and internet provider. A fiber optic outlet by itself does not provide a Wi-Fi connection. The router connects your internet connection to your devices via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
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Is fiber optic internet the same as Wi-Fi?
No. Fiber optics describes the line that brings the internet connection to your home. Wi-Fi is the local wireless network that distributes the internet connection within your apartment or house to smartphones, computers, and other devices. A fast fiber optic connection can therefore still be limited by poor Wi-Fi performance.