Fibre broadband has been on a meteoric rise in homes over the past decade and has become one of the most popular internet choices. However, as customers, we are often keen to get faster broadband, and that is why fibre gives us the option with the introduction of superfast, ultrafast, and giga-fast broadband.
On the other hand, satellite internet is a wireless internet type that uses satellites to generate a signal and is one of the few internet types available to rural areas.
What is Fibre Broadband?
Fast and reliable internet is at the forefront of everyone’s mind when wanting to get your home connected. Fibre broadband is one of the three main internet choices available nationwide, alongside ADSL and cable.
Instead of using copper wiring, fibre uses fibre optic cables to connect you to the internet and can deliver a fast and reliable connection that’s perfect for your home.
These cables transfer data by sending flashes of light down a tube and bouncing off the walls before being interpreted as data at the end. The data transfer process is far quicker than copper wire. That is why it has seen a surge in popularity due to the speeds it can generate.
What are the advantages of fibre broadband?
There are many advantages surrounding fibre broadband cables, such as speed, size, and reliability.
- Reliability- Compared to other internet types, fibre maintains a fast connection speed and keeps lag and buffering to a minimum, allowing you to work from home or stream with ease.
- Speed- Fibre broadband can reach speeds of up to 512mbps which is significantly faster than ADSL and DSL.
- Strength- The power of fibre allows multiple devices to be connected simultaneously while maintaining a good connection.
What are the disadvantages of fibre broadband?
With advantages come disadvantages, and fibre doesn’t have many, but there are important areas to note that could affect your internet.
- Durability- Fibre cables are thinner than other cables and can break or be damaged easily.
- Cost- Setting up fibre broadband could be expensive in the short term due to instalment fees.
Which areas have access to fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is available in most of the UK’s rural areas, but it isn’t available everywhere and is in the works to continue its expansion.
Here are some notable areas of its availability from us here at Broadway:
Scotland:
- Arran
- Perth & Kinross
- Loch Ness
- Aberdeenshire
- Ayrshire
- Trossachs
Wales:
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Ceredigion
- Carmarthenshire
- Monmouthshire
What is Satellite internet?
Satellite internet does what it says on the tin. It uses a satellite to bring high-speed internet into your home.
This happens by your internet service provider (ISP) sending fibre internet signals into space which are then absorbed by a satellite dish when sent back to land and transferred into a connection via a modem and router.
It is completely wireless, therefore providing an internet option for people who don’t have the option of getting fitted-cabled internet options like fibre.
What are the advantages of Satellite internet?
- Availability– Satellite internet is available nationwide.
- Minimal installation- All that is required is the installation of a satellite dish, causing less mess than cable installation.
- Security- As it works through a private network, the option of further encryption could add extra protection keeping your personal details more secure.
- Eco-friendly– Satellite doesn’t require the construction of towers and underground cables and relies only on signal absorption, so it has less of an impact on the environment.
What are the disadvantages of Satellite internet?
Even though satellite internet could be a good option, it still has its disadvantages:
- Speed– Even though it can be up to 25-30 times faster than dial-up, satellite internet is still significantly slower than fibre broadband.
- Latency- The distance satellite internet must travel makes it unfeasible for people who want to stream and play video games.
- Cost- Setting up satellite internet can be expensive to get all the equipment, therefore short-term expenses can prove to be costly.
Which areas have access to Satellite internet?
Satellite internet is available nationwide. Therefore, it is always available in rural areas if you can’t get access to fibre.
Fibre broadband vs Satellite internet: Which is better?
Fibre broadband and satellite internet both have their pros and cons, but when it comes to which internet is better, it comes down to various common factors.
These are availability, cost, speed, and reliability.
Without considering these factors, you may experience issues with your network and end up opting for the wrong service.
How does fibre internet differ from satellite internet in terms of speed and reliability?
When it comes to reliability. Fibre and satellite are reliable in their own ways but have a common denominator, providing you with a connection.
However, the internet speeds of these connections differ massively.
Fibre broadband can reach speeds of up to 1000mbps, whereas satellite can only provide between 25-100mbps.
Also, in terms of reliability, both are reliable. However, the more reliable option is fibre due to its consistently quick upload and download speeds.
Which type of internet is best for rural or remote locations?
Both internet types are available in rural areas. However, it is not common for people in rural areas to have access to fibre broadband due to the internet type not being available to their postcode.
On the other hand, satellite internet is available nationwide and is completely wireless. Also, if you choose to have whole home WI-FI installed, then the satellite internet connection can be faster and more reliable.
However, the primary choice for rural living should still be fibre due to its power and reliability while in operation. Especially if you plan on being connected regularly, but if fibre is not available in your postcode area, then satellite will be a good backup option.
Final Verdict
The final verdict regarding these two internet types is that one is very reliable and will provide you with a good internet connection. However, the other is proving to revolutionise and provide opportunities to areas where stable internet access was not seen as possible.
Fibre’s strong speeds make it a primary choice for either rural or non-rural areas as it allows multiple devices to connect simultaneously.
Alternatively, satellite internet is a good backup if you live in a rural area. Yes, the speeds may be slower, and proneness to high latency is not ideal, but fibre may not be in the area where you reside, therefore satellite will provide you with a connection that would help you make video calls and send emails.
Overall, the better internet option for all areas is fibre broadband, as it is the more reliable and faster internet option which will not only keep you connected, but will allow you to stream films and tv, online games or work from home easily. Therefore, fibre should be your number 1 priority.
