Hello,
I’m a bit inexperienced. We currently have DSL with a 16k connection and just did a speed test showing 50 Mbps download and 21 Mbps upload. Now, fiber optic has been installed in our two-family house by the local telecom provider.
The co-owner is going through the telecom provider, but according to O2, where we are currently, we could switch to them starting next year.
I’m wondering which fiber data plan we should choose. Would the smallest option be sufficient, and would we get faster speeds than now?
The DSL connection has been stable so far.
We use the internet for gaming (my son), home office, and watching Netflix and similar streaming services in the evening. Otherwise, we have a satellite dish on the roof.
I’m a bit inexperienced. We currently have DSL with a 16k connection and just did a speed test showing 50 Mbps download and 21 Mbps upload. Now, fiber optic has been installed in our two-family house by the local telecom provider.
The co-owner is going through the telecom provider, but according to O2, where we are currently, we could switch to them starting next year.
I’m wondering which fiber data plan we should choose. Would the smallest option be sufficient, and would we get faster speeds than now?
The DSL connection has been stable so far.
We use the internet for gaming (my son), home office, and watching Netflix and similar streaming services in the evening. Otherwise, we have a satellite dish on the roof.
N
nordanney21 Nov 2024 15:58jrth2151 schrieb:
For all of Germany, yes. But I can imagine that in the future, DSL lines will be discontinued regionally when the provider has already rolled out fiber optic in the same area. The problem is that "the same area" is not really an area. Maybe in urban settings, but not in rural ones. Here, "an area" sometimes means just a single street, because there are too few interested customers on the next street. At my home, connections are also only made in certain spots—since we have fast copper DSL, my street isn’t even offered fiber optic. But 150cm (500 feet) away, it is.
Unfortunately, that is technically completely incorrect. DSL operates on the OSI Layer 1 (alongside fiber) and is its own medium based on copper. The standard defines the communication between the DSL modem and the DSLAM, which is usually located somewhere at the street cabinet and connected via fiber optic cable.
What people mean when they talk about fiber internet, as discussed here, is FTTH (Fiber to the Home), meaning the fiber optic cable runs all the way to your basement or utility room. This has nothing to do with DSL and works completely differently on a technical level. The fiber connection protocol-wise is not much different from your home LAN cable, just with light instead of copper (very simplified!). The ONT, for example, is almost a simple Ethernet-to-fiber converter (+GPON). Access control is managed by the provider through smart hardware, and authentication is often done via PPPoE. But that’s the only similarity to DSL. DSL requires a lot more technology overall, and especially more power to make everything work.
Fiber is also much less prone to interference because the provider needs much less hardware. Much higher speeds are possible as well. The DSL standard, for example, maxes out at around 1 gigabit per second. In addition, and this might be important for your gaming son, ping is generally much lower since the data packets require less processing and go through less hardware.
And yes, initially the fiber cable only reaches the basement or utility room, and usually continues from there via Wi-Fi or, ideally, LAN. This is not too bad, as copper cabling can still easily handle up to 10 Gbit/s for typical house wiring lengths (maximum about 55cm (21.7 inches) for Cat6).
So, to get to the point: fiber technically does everything better, but if you only watch Netflix and YouTube and occasionally play on your phone, then the smaller plan with 150 Mbit/s is sufficient. However, ask your son—faster internet never hurts for gaming. Especially if you need to download files frequently. Based on your description, that is the only real added value I see.
What people mean when they talk about fiber internet, as discussed here, is FTTH (Fiber to the Home), meaning the fiber optic cable runs all the way to your basement or utility room. This has nothing to do with DSL and works completely differently on a technical level. The fiber connection protocol-wise is not much different from your home LAN cable, just with light instead of copper (very simplified!). The ONT, for example, is almost a simple Ethernet-to-fiber converter (+GPON). Access control is managed by the provider through smart hardware, and authentication is often done via PPPoE. But that’s the only similarity to DSL. DSL requires a lot more technology overall, and especially more power to make everything work.
Fiber is also much less prone to interference because the provider needs much less hardware. Much higher speeds are possible as well. The DSL standard, for example, maxes out at around 1 gigabit per second. In addition, and this might be important for your gaming son, ping is generally much lower since the data packets require less processing and go through less hardware.
And yes, initially the fiber cable only reaches the basement or utility room, and usually continues from there via Wi-Fi or, ideally, LAN. This is not too bad, as copper cabling can still easily handle up to 10 Gbit/s for typical house wiring lengths (maximum about 55cm (21.7 inches) for Cat6).
So, to get to the point: fiber technically does everything better, but if you only watch Netflix and YouTube and occasionally play on your phone, then the smaller plan with 150 Mbit/s is sufficient. However, ask your son—faster internet never hurts for gaming. Especially if you need to download files frequently. Based on your description, that is the only real added value I see.
But here’s a different thought: since fiber optic cable is already installed in your house, you are prepared for the future. If DSL is eventually discontinued, you can still switch. With a bit of time and money, you can ensure the apartment is properly wired by then—either with fiber optic directly to the apartment or via Ethernet cable. You’re not under any pressure right now.
So, review the advantages, and if it makes sense for you, go ahead and switch.
So, review the advantages, and if it makes sense for you, go ahead and switch.
I have a question for you all: If fiber optic cable is installed into my house and I then use a compatible Fritzbox, can I use my internal LAN connection without any loss of quality, or would the installed LAN cable not be ideally suited for this and come with certain limitations?
Arauki11 schrieb:
I have a question: If I get fiber optic installed in the house and then use a compatible Fritzbox, can I use my internal LAN connection without any loss in performance, or would the existing LAN cable not be optimal for that and have some limitations?That’s not a problem. The LAN cables connected to the Fritzbox support 1 Gbit/s, and the fiber optic line supports up to that speed as well. Currently, there is nothing faster available for private customers (as far as I know). I assume you already have a working LAN wiring system in the house with Gigabit switches. Otherwise, just look up the model numbers online.Um... I will most likely bring the fiber optic cable into the utility room in the usual way. From there, it will connect directly to the router, and from the router in the utility room to the adjacent distribution panel (is that the switch?). From there, for example, it goes upstairs to a LAN wall outlet.
I’m not sure if this distribution panel (see picture) supports or is capable of Gigabit.
Would this setup work without any loss, assuming the fiber optic cable is installed properly into the house?
Sorry if I described it incorrectly.
I’m not sure if this distribution panel (see picture) supports or is capable of Gigabit.
Would this setup work without any loss, assuming the fiber optic cable is installed properly into the house?
Sorry if I described it incorrectly.
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