El world is increasingly interconnected and that means that a fast, stable Internet network that meets the needs is needed. As technology advances, so does the Internet. Now, the integration of fiber optics and 5G are a solution that coexists in the world in which we live.
But how do they combine? Why are fiber optics and 5G two technologies that provide a unique connection experience and improve online communication? In this article we tell you.
Connection speed and capacity
Fiber optics are one of the great pillars of the high-speed Internet network. Thanks to your connection capacity, which replaced traditional ones, such as cable or ADSL, It allows very fast and stable speed, whether for use at home or in the office. And they are very affordable, especially if you browse the internet a little and compare the different offers of fiber and mobile rates.
Not only does it help you upload and download large files in seconds, but it doesn't lose signal. That is why it is one of the favorites, especially when there is increasing demand for activities such as streaming, video conferencing or virtual reality applications.
But it's not the only thing.
5G is also available. When it was launched, and taking into account that Full deployment expected in 2025, was a technology that represented a significant advance in wireless, with mobile connectivity superior to what was available before. Among the improvements, fast and reliable connections stand out, as well as fiber connections.
But, by combining the two technologies, is when you really technological advances are noticeable. Fiber optics maintain a solid, fast and stable foundation. 5G complements that base while extending connectivity to areas that fiber does not yet reach, such as the most rural or difficult-to-access areas.
Applications and practical uses
Today, we use fiber and 5G daily, both at home and in the office, in mobility, etc.
At home, the vast majority have fiber optics that allow a connection without ups and downs, without loss of signal or moments in which everything slows down and you have to wait, or pause, for it to pick up the pace again. Characteristics that occurred with traditional methods.
Fiber is not like that. Now you can enjoy a movie or series without having to pause it and wait for the buffer to fill to watch it without cuts. Well, take advantage of the best image quality on your screen or on televisions. And without forgetting the IoT (Internet of Things) devices in the home, such as virtual assistants, smart security cameras and connected thermostats, all of them need a network that is capable of offering speed and stability.
5G, for its part, It is a complement that reaches every corner of a house, even to those places where the fiber connection or WiFi signal leaves much to be desired.
Something similar happens outside the home, where, in this case, 5G is the real protagonist. Characterized by fast speeds and very low latency, you can enjoy streaming platforms, applications and even advanced games without slowing down the image or video or having to endure stops or pauses that ruin the experience.
Reliability and redundancy
You may not know it, but fiber optics work through pulses of light. These are the ones that transmit the data and make it practically unlimited. Since it does not have external interference, this makes the connection more stable, reduces latency and transmits data quickly.
Why is this ideal? Because those applications, programs or needs that require a constant and reliable Internet demand it. We are talking, for example, about videoconferencing, telemedicine or even financial systems with real-time transactions that cannot afford interruptions.
But beware, because no technology is failsafe. They happen too. And for that, When combined with 5G, you have a second connection allowing you to continue staying connected. What's more, it is not only a substitute connection, but it becomes the main one when fiber technology fails or does not arrive in good condition.
To give you an example. If you are having a video call meeting with a client and your fiber fails for any reason, the support that 5G offers when connecting it to your computer allows you to continue with that video call. What's more, you avoid any interruption or having to reschedule the meeting, with the consequent detriment to your daily life.
Impact on the future of connectivity
There is a lot of news that warns us that 6G is about to arrive. In fact, if you like technology you will know that, practically when 5G was launched, there were already countries working on an even greater evolution of this technology. And now, by 2025, countries like Korea will begin 6G tests.
But surely, fiber optics will not be left behind. We do not know for sure what will happen to this, if it will continue or if wireless technologies will finally end up being its substitutes. But right now the convergence of fiber and 5G is a winning union.
Thinking about the future, with homes becoming smarter, where we will have appliances, security systems, smart lights and other technologies that will require a stable Internet connection, 5G and fiber optics are a good combo. Where one fails, the other will be there to replace it.
And not only inside the home, but also outside, for devices in the garden, pool or garage.
This will help cities to also be smart, not only at the urban level, but also at the workplace level, achieving advances that, ten or twenty years ago, were still unthinkable or seemed like something of the futuristic genre in films and series.
Of course, there are still many challenges and improvements that will help build a better future in connection. But it is on the right track. Furthermore, taking into account that society is connected 24 hours a day, the commitment to an increasingly faster Internet, even connecting humans, would not be so far-fetched.
Now it's your turn, have you realized how fiber optics and 5G have been a before and after in connections? They will be the basis for what will come in the future.