What is Google Fiber & How does it work?

Google Fiber: The Gigabyte internet at your service.

We know the internet from our childhood. In earlier days, we used to connect to the web via a dial-up modem. At that time it took an hour to download your favorite song. However, in today’s world, even a fraction of the second means a lot. So, here comes Google Fiber. Its an internet service by Alphabet Inc.

Furthermore, soon after dial-up, the broadband came into existence. The broadband offers the speed in Mbps and works with DSL modems. Average speeds range from 4 Mbps. The speed is sufficient to stream on a single screen with some lag while playing or during the video chat. Then came fiber optic technology. This technology opens up new frontiers in the world of the internet with speeds of 1000 Mbps.

Furthermore, Google Fiber uses FTTP (Fiber To The Premises technology). This technology is slightly different than FTTH Technology. It offers a speed of 1 Gbit/s. Hence, you can download an entire movie in a matter of seconds. So, its an insanely fast internet.

How does Google Fiber work?

As of today most of the last mile connectivity is through copper cables. The use of fiber optic is limited to long-distance connectivity. The last mile internet connections are mostly via copper cables.

Furthermore, currently, the data flow in the form of electricity via twisted-pair copper cables. Google is trying to change this by providing last-mile connectivity through fiber optic cables; thereby enhancing speeds.

Google Fiber designs vary from city to city. Basically, a fiber ring around the city feeds fiber into fiber hut. Then from the fiber hut, the fiber goes to different directions in the city to the telecom cabinets. From the telecom cabinets, the lines are further broken down into smaller bundles providing a connection to the ultimate user.

The cables run either above the ground or below the ground. The cable running above the ground uses existing infrastructure such as poles. The cables below the ground are through conduit tubes. So, every home gets individual strands of fiber.

Furthermore, the fiber coming to your home is connected to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal). The ONT also has an external electricity supply with a status LED and an ethernet port.

The ONT converts light signals into electric signals. ONT then transmits these signals to the network box via ethernet cables. The network box is nothing but the router supplied by Google.

The Network box has ethernet ports as well as WiFi. This network box connects you to Gigabit Internet. If you opt for TV you will get Google fiber TV box as well. You will also get a storage box for storing your offline TV programs.

The Speeds

Google Fiber gives access to gigabit internet. So, you can expect a speed of 1000 Mbps. However, in reality, the speed depends upon lots of factors. You will also need hardware that supports the speeds. Say you have 1000 Mbps connection but your device supports only 100 Mbps, then your speed will never go beyond 100 Mbps. Hence, you need compatible Hardware that support gigabit internet.

Furthermore, on average, you will get 600-700 Mbps ofdownload speed via Ethernet while 200 Mbps on WiFi. But it really depends on your existing hardware. These numbers may vary on lots of factors. There is no guarantee you will get exactly the same speed as some other person is getting.

In conclusion, Google Fiber is a leap forward in the internet and broadband industry. It will also change how we consume data and how we see the internet.

Image Courtesy: Alphabet Inc