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When talking about fast Internet, we often hear the term "fiber optics." But not everything that is called fiber is the same. The acronyms FTTH, FTTC, and FWA indicate three different ways of bringing the connection to your home: they seem similar, but offer different experiences. Let's look at them in simple terms.
FTTH: real fiber that reaches your home
Imagine fiber as a super-fast highway made of very thin glass strands that transport data at the speed of light. With FTTH (Fiber To The Home), this highway reaches directly into your living room: no detours, no "side roads."
The result is a line capable of very high speeds (even several gigabits), stable and ready to handle anything: 4K movies, clear video calls, lag-free gaming, and lots of people connected at once. The limit? It's not yet everywhere: bringing it to every building requires fiber installation work.
Summary
Definition: Fiber optics reaches inside the user's home or office.
- Features: Very high speeds (up to 1 Gbps or more), very low latency, great stability.
- Advantages: Maximum performance for 4K/8K streaming, online gaming, smart working, and professional uses.
- Limitations: Uneven coverage; requires wiring all the way to the building.
FTTC: the "hybrid" fiber that stops at the street
With FTTC (Fiber To The Cabinet), the fiber is there, but it stops at the street cabinet. The last stretch to your home runs on the old copper wire, the same as the telephone line.
It's like driving most of the way on the highway and the last few miles on a country road: you still get there, but slower. If you live close to the cabinet, the connection may be fine; the further away you are, the slower and less stable the connection may become. On the other hand, it is very widespread because it uses existing infrastructure and requires less work.
Summary
Definition: fiber opticsThe last section is copper (twisted pair).
- Features: Typical speeds up to ~200 Mbps, performance dependent on distance from the cabinet.
- Advantages: Wide coverage and easier installation by leveraging the existing network.
- Limitations: Lower speed and stability than FTTH; higher latency.
FWA: Internet via radio, without digging
FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) works differently: instead of a cable to the home, there is an antenna that communicates via radio with a repeater. It's a cross between a landline and 4G/5G cellular.
It's particularly useful in rural or hard-to-wire areas, where laying fiber would be too expensive or time-consuming. Speeds can be good, but they depend on signal quality, how many users use the same cell, and even the weather or any physical obstacles between the antenna and the repeater.
Summary
Definition: "Fixed" radio connection: an antenna on the building communicates with a nearby repeater.
- Features: Variable speeds (from ~30 to over 300 Mbps) depending on the technology (4G/5G) and signal.
- Advantages: Useful in rural areas; quick installation; No digging to get to your home.
- Limitations: Performance is sensitive to signal quality, congestion, obstacles, and weather.
Which one to choose?
- If you can, FTTH: it's the fastest and most stable solution, ideal for crowded homes, intensive smart working, and high-quality entertainment.
- Alternatively, FTTC: a good compromise where FTTH hasn't reached, with performance varying based on distance from the cabinet.
- If there's no fiber, FWA: an excellent option for fast internet without waiting for cabling work, knowing that the radio signal can vary.
In conclusion
These acronyms aren't just technical details: they tell you how your connection is brought home and they explain why some offers are stronger than others. Knowing the difference helps you better understand sales pitches and choose the right line for your needs, without being confused by generic labels like "fiber."
| Technology | How the connection arrives | Typical speed | Strengths / Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTTH (Fiber To The Home) |
Fiber optics right into your home | 1 Gbps or higher |
✅ Maximum performance ✅ Stable connection ❌ Not yet available everywhere |
| FTTC (Fiber To The Cabinet) |
Fiber to the street cabinet, then copper to your home | Up to 200 Mbps (depends on distance) |
✅ Widespread and quick to activate ❌ Variable performance ❌ Higher latency than FTTH |
| FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) |
Radio connection with antenna | From 30 to 300 Mbps (with 4G/5G) |
✅ Coverage even in rural areas ✅ Quick installation ❌ Signal and weather sensitive |
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