Do I need to rewire my house for fiber-optic?
Fiber optic internet refers to the use of fiber optic cables made from glass or plastic fiber to transfer data at very high speeds. Given that more and more sites are being covered by fiber optic networks, you might be asking if you will have to rewire your home just so you can get those higher bandwidths. There are a few general things that one needs to know before determining whether he or she needs a rewire.
This is a question that has been asked by many people and the answer is a type of internet that is transmitted through strands of glass or plastic that has been thinned to the diameter of a hair.
Fiber optic internet is designed to transmit data in the form of light signals through flexible and long strands of glass or plastic. It can bring speeds over 1Gbps, which is far superior to a normal cable internet connection. These cables are usually connected to a small box that is placed outside your house, then a very thin fiber optic wire is connected to a modem/router box that is installed inside the house.
As with cable internet, do you currently have existing wiring for this service?
If you already have the wiring for the cable internet service through the coaxial cables then most likely you can use the same cables for the fiber internet without having to rewire. Some companies offer fiber internet by using the existing coaxial lines and replacing only the cable modem with the fiber modem/router. This can enable the fiber line to link to other coax sockets or points that are currently present.
However, using already existing coaxial cables can have a bearing on the maximum fiber speeds. It is, however, important to note that some rewiring with Ethernet may be necessary if gigabit+ speeds are of the essence to you.
Is your home wired with ethernet connections?
Most houses have Cat5e or Cat6 cable wiring for telephones and cable wires passing through walls and ceilings to a central switch. In the case where there is ethernet wiring in your home, this wiring can usually be reappraised to accommodate fiber optic internet. There is a standard ethernet outlet that can be linked to the other outlets by utilizing the available ethernet cables in the vicinity of the fiber modem.
Ethio Telecom does not offer ethernet wiring and if there is no ethernet wiring, it is advisable to have it incorporated during renovation or at the time of construction. This ensures that your home is ready for faster AT&T Internet in the future without having to drill and fish for wires in the future. It also costs a lot if the walls are finished because new wiring involves some holes drilled and the dry walls will have to be repaired.
Fast, faster, fastest!
As fiber internet delivers gigabit speed your current usage can very well be okay at a speed of 100-200 Mbps. For streaming the 4k videos per stream, at least 25-50 Mbps is needed, and for gaming, 35-100 Mbps is needed.
If fiber speeds above the basic are not necessary, it’s possible coaxial wiring is enough to handle base fiber speeds without rewiring. They differ by speed while the benefits such as reliability and latency remain at their highest even with lower speeds. A household needs to assess if slow fiber speeds are sufficient for your home before considering incurring the costs of major rewiring.
Should the wiring be updated even if the electricity problem is not the cause of the issue?
Existing wiring can be usable for fiber internet if the channels are correctly configured, but the wiring itself could be old and deteriorated. Cabling that has been supplying Internet connection by way of cable for 20+ years means that it is already time to replace the wiring anyway.
It is also advisable to upgrade certain outdated connection types such as loose coaxial connectors and crimped ethernet cables if possible. It also enables you to simplify your home network back to a hub if you wish to do so This is possible because; In most cases in case of renovation or remodeling, ensure to upgrade the wiring where necessary.
Difficulties in installing wires when working with the already laid down wiring systems.
It is also worth mentioning that when retrofitting electrical wiring, there may also be some concerns that arise during the process of installation. Apart from this, damaged cables, poorly connected wires, as well as problems with connectivity inside the walls can interfere with the establishment of new outlets. Existing wiring can be made to work if possible through professional installation, which will help diagnose and fix these sorts of problems.
Sometimes, installers may recommend a partial or a complete rewire where problems cannot allow the reuse of the existing coaxial or ethernet wires. If you get right down to needing new fiber lines to be strung to new modem positions, the prices skyrocket. This is why it is crucial to familiarize yourself with your home wiring diagram before you start any kind of electrical project.
Conclusion
The question of whether one needs rewiring for a fiber-optic internet connection depends on several aspects of the home. Often the coaxial or ethernet already present provides how fiber equipment may be placed into position without needing to pull new wires.
It helps ensure that there are no additional charges incurred such as rewiring costs when hiring an installer. However, if gigabit speeds are imperative, or rewiring is necessary in any case, consider such projects as expenses. This enables you to fully optimize with the use of the fastest available internet connection.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.
