Fiber Optic vs Copper

pcnetworx1 writes "Recently companies, such as Verizon with their FIOS service, have begun to migrate from legacy copper to fiber optics. Corning (admittedly one of the largest fiber optic cable makers) is running an article which explains why it is actually cheaper to go for the fiber optics."

Comments

why it is cheaper.

[Saven Marek]

laying fiber is 10x more expensive than copper.

But fiber carries hundreds to thousands more channels of data than copper.

that's why it's cheaper.

Re:why it is cheaper.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, in the long run it is really worth it to build fiber infrastructure. Companies like Surewest are investing for the future, and will play a big role in competing with the telcos and cable companies. I am lucky enough to live in an area where Surewest offers service, and they have 10Mbps and 20Mbps bi-directional packages available. I know it is nothing compared to the service you can get in other countries, but to have that big of a pipe to the Internet in Northern California is damned good. Surewest equipment is full 100Mbps, and can scale to 1Gbps without much upgrading (relatively).

Audiophile response

[spineboy]

I'm sorry, but I prefer the richness and a more natural warmth of browsing the internet over copper wires. Fiber optic lends a certain harshness to the "feel" of internet surfing, resulting in a less enjoyable experience.
I use special oxide free copper wiring and power cords to eliminate excessive "power banding" that produce a grittiness to the intenet.

That's why I'm sticking with copper.

Re:network security - not really

[billstewart]

It's not really that different. If somebody wants to wiretap your home's or business's Internet connection by climbing telephone poles or popping manhole covers, the fact that the connection is fiber just means they need to bring some splicing hardware instead of copper alligator clips, and have a co-conspirator / getaway-driver with you to explain why your fake phone company truck is working at Midnight ("because that way it won't interfere with our customer's business", which is true for real repair people as well as wiretappers.) It's a bit more of a skilled job, but it's not the easiest place to attack most businesses anyway. More typically, you're an insider, but if you're an outsider, you want to crack into the victim's firewall over the Internet, or email them trojan horses, or if you *must* do hardware, you want to get into their phone closet where they've got the yellow sticky with the router password. But it's probably an inside job.

take the words right out of my mouth...

[interactive_civilian]

the ever multiple-personalitied Anonymous Coward said:

In some non-US parts of the world, we've had bragging rights about fiber for MANY years now...When will you catch up?

I was just about to state something to that extent.

I am currenly on 100Mbps up/down fiber for just about US$50 per month (split among two other roommates equals less than $20/person) just outside of Tokyo. Lots of people say "The US is so broad that we can't do this!", but I fail to see why this kind of connection isn't available in US cities. I am outside of the most dense parts of Tokyo (in fact, I am in a suburb of Kawasaki), but that didn't stop the ISPs (So-Net in my case) from running fibre to apartments.

Come on, USA! At least in the cities, there is no reason to be so far behind with regards to residential access!