Fiber optics is currently the fastest way to connect to the Internet. However, there are different fiber technologies, such as BX fiber and XGS-PON, which operate slightly differently. Here's a simple explanation to help you understand these two technologies.
1. BX Fiber (Point-to-Point)
BX fiber uses a model called point-to-point. This means a single fiber directly connects your home or business to the Internet provider, without passing through any additional device or splitter.
How does it work?
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There is a single fiber between you and the provider.
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The same fiber carries data in both directions (download and upload), using different wavelengths to separate the incoming and outgoing traffic.
Speed:
BX fiber connections can offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps, depending on the installed network.
When to use it?
BX fiber is ideal for small businesses or households that need a fast connection but don’t have extremely high demands.
Concrete example:
Imagine a direct line running from your location to the provider without intersecting with any other connections. It’s an exclusive link between you and your Internet provider.
2. XGS-PON (Point-to-Multipoint)
XGS-PON uses a different method called point-to-multipoint. This means that a single fiber runs from the provider and is then shared among multiple users. The fiber is split at a certain point to serve several homes or businesses.
How does it work?
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One fiber runs from the provider and is split to serve multiple clients.
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Each user shares the fiber with others, but this does not affect the quality or speed, as XGS-PON technology supports very high performance.
Speed:
XGS-PON can offer up to 10 Gbps for both download and upload. This means the speed is symmetrical, making it ideal for users with high bandwidth needs.
When to use it?
XGS-PON is perfect for businesses or connected households that use a lot of Internet — for example, for high-quality streaming, online gaming, or heavy professional tasks.
Concrete example:
Imagine a main highway (the fiber) that splits into several side roads leading to different homes (users). Each home receives a portion of the fiber, but the main highway remains powerful and fast for everyone.