FIBER-TO-THE-PREMISES FAQs

Fiber Internet is the latest improvement to the way data is transferred around the world. It’s significantly faster than cable, way faster than dial-up, and can carry large amounts of data in a single line, even reaching multiple terabytes of data transfer with ease.

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Fiber optic cables use small glass fibers to transmit data via pulses of light. The light travels similarly to the way electricity travels through a copper wire, but the significant advantage is that fiber cables can carry multiple signals simultaneously. They’re amazingly small, so they’re often bundled into larger cables called “fiber optic trunk or distribution cables,” each holding multiple fiber lines. Fiber cables carry huge amounts of data, with speeds as high as 1 Gbps (often called “gigabit internet”) at your home.

The connection speed available at the device we install on your premises is capable of transmitting 1,000,000,000 bits of information every second. Understand that your actual throughput speed depends on many factors including the number of connected devices, the distance between device and access point and the quality/quantity of the upload or download content.

Fiber-to-the-home is the most advanced, state-of-the-art Internet technology out there. Here are some key benefits to consider:

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For Your Home

• Browse the web with instant page changes, photo sharing, shopping and more with no buffering.
• An amazingly fast, richer multi-player gaming experience.
• Stream multiple movies simultaneously on devices throughout your home.
• Home security technology, such as always-on video cameras, utilizes the benefits of fiber’s large upstream capacity.
• Imagine a future with everything from virtual doctor appointments, remote access to the classroom, and even live participation in public events, right from your living room.

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For Your Business

• Download and upload huge files in a flash
• Video conferencing
• Real-time security cameras
• Best experience for multiple employees
• Perfect for data-hungry applications
• E-commerce
• Increased productivity and more!

We want to make certain you enjoy all of the benefits offered by Point Broadband’s fiber-fast speeds! Our engineers and technicians have put a lot of work into designing systems to help deliver that fiber-fast experience inside your home. First, we pull a fiber optic connection directly to your home and connect it to a Point Broadband provided Optical Network Unit (ONU).

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Wired Devices

Although Point Broadband provides 1 Gigabit speeds, there are a number of factors that can cause your network speeds to slow down. Some of these include:

• Out-of-date hardware: Many factors affect upload and download speed, including the type and age of hardware, the operating system, web browser, and other applications. When performing network speed tests, make sure your device is wired to the network with no other applications running.
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• Older network interface card: If your computer, laptop, or tablet has a 1 Gig network interface card or port, the device has the ability to communicate with Point Broadband fiber network at 1 Gig speeds when connected to the Network Box with an Ethernet cable. Some devices that have a 1 Gig network card may not communicate at that speed inside the device, which can also affect your overall communications speed.
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• Slow connections between Point Broadband fiber network and the websites you visit: Not all points on the Internet between Point Broadband fiber network and the websites you visit (including speed test websites) necessarily run at 1 Gig. Even if our network and your devices can accommodate 1 Gig speeds, you may not receive 1 Gig speeds from end to end – often due to heavy traffic or rerouting delays on other parts of the Internet.

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Wireless Devices

Wireless adapters typically do not accommodate the full 1 Gig speed. To get the fastest possible network speeds, you should use a wired connection.

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If you do use wireless devices with Point Broadband 1 Gig service, you can still expect much faster speeds than you would get with other types of wireless access. Wireless speeds can be improved by reducing exposure to interference from outside sources that can significantly reduce network speeds for wireless devices. Learn more about optimizing your wireless network.

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Maximum speed is determined by a number of factors, including the connection type, the number of devices you’re running simultaneously, the age of your device, local RF interference, etc.

If you are not getting the speeds you expect, you may need to change something in your environment or upgrade your device.

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Wi-Fi speeds can be affected by the following:

• The number of wireless devices connected to the network at the same time. Connecting many devices to a network at the same time can reduce available bandwidth for each device. Reducing the number of devices connected to a network might improve performance.
• Physical impediments on the premises:

            - The distance between the device and access point.

            - Microwaves

            - Cordless Phones

            - High density materials such as concrete, stucco and/or steel
              reinforced walls

            - Number of walls between the device and access point.

            - Mirrors

            - Electrical Interference

            - Overlapping Wi-Fi broadcasts

• Device characteristics, such as the 802.11 version.
• The Internet itself. Most common Internet destinations do not serve content to users at 1 Gbps speeds. Even though you have 1 Gbps service and you have wired your computer directly into your new router to be able to download at 1 Gbps, you still cannot download any faster than the server to which you are connected can serve.
• Both Wi-Fi and wired connections can be affected by the quantity and quality of content being downloaded or uploaded.

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If you choose to use a wireless router with Point Broadband Gigabit, please consider the following:

• Network equipment should have 1 Gbps ports. The router/firewall may not be able to support 1 Gbps throughput even if the physical ports are 1 Gigabit capable.
• If you use a router, you may need to make provisions for QoS (Quality of Service) and rate limiting to ensure optimal performance for all connected devices.
• The number of devices utilizing the 1 Gbps Internet connection can limit bandwidth for individual users.
• The internal router firewall must be capable of processing data at speeds of 1 Gbps.
• Most wireless routers will not provide 1 Gbps speeds wirelessly (Please see answer on the right).
• The network protocols themselves have overhead necessary to function. A 1 Gbps connection speed will always have a lower throughput speed because of this network overhead.

CAT5e and Cat6 Ethernet cables best support Point Broadband Gigabit speeds.

Probably not, unless they are older. Any device between the modem and your computer could be a weak link in the chain, limiting the speed of the connection. These devices may include your firewall, router, switch and laptop, tablet or smartphone. Check the documentation for the specific devices to find out the maximum speeds. Newer equipment with a 1000BaseT network interface card may support up to 1 Gbps speeds. However, most smartphones and tablets are limited to speeds well below 1 Gbps.

No. When we install your new Internet service we will activate an Ethernet port that will connect to your computer or network device.

You do not need a modem. Point Broadband will provide the device that the fiber connects to (Optical Network Unit).

No, Point Broadband Gigabit service does not use a modem. It uses an Optical Network Unit (ONU) that we will provide as part of the service.

Yes. The equipment we will provide is designed to give you Internet access through the wired connection. You may also connect a wireless router to the device that Point Broadband provides. For the best performance, we recommend you use an 802.11AC or AX (Wi-Fi6) router/access point with the capability to support multiple streams. Point Broadband can provide these routers for an additional charge.

Yes. We recommend an 802.11ac or AX (Wi-Fi6) router/access point with the capability to support multiple streams to receive the best wireless experience. Please note that wireless speeds are dependent on the device capabilities.

No, we recommend an 802.11ac or AX (Wi-Fi6) router/access point with the capability to support multiple streams to receive the best wireless experience. Please note that wireless speeds are dependent on the device capabilities.

Fiber optic cabling contains one or more strands of glass. Digital pulses of light carry signals along the line at the speed of light. This is the preeminent technology for Internet speed and reliability – it offers the highest speeds, best signal transmission, and best reliability in adverse weather conditions.

Yes, this is one of the great technological benefits of the service. Point Broadband’s service will deliver 1 Gbps upload AND download speeds. This is particularly important for home-based businesses and two-way video conferencing sessions and high definition home security video cameras. Actual transmission speeds will depend on your equipment.

A Point Broadband Optical Network Unit (ONU) will be placed on the inside or on the outside of your home or business, which will house the fiber connections from the home or business to the rest of the Point Broadband fiber network. Fiber optic cable will also be run underground or overhead (following utilities) from the street to the box on the side of your home or business.

Fiber connects to an Optical Network Unit (ONU) on or in your home or business. This allows Ethernet services to connect to devices in the building. Ethernet cables that connect the ONU to a router or your computer are normally limited to 300 feet.

On the day your installation is scheduled, our dispatcher will give you a confirmation call before the installer arrives. When our Installation Specialist arrives, he or she will ask you where you want the equipment placed and will be ready to offer advice about positioning the devices to optimize your signal throughout the home or business. If possible, plan to have all your devices in their permanent locations prior to the arrival of the installer. Clear other items out of the areas where you think the Installation Specialist might be working. Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated in order to provide you a successful installation.

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Our Installation Specialist will do all of the work. He or she will run fiber from an outside equipment box directly to or into your home or business. If previously installed, the Installation Specialist will try to use existing Ethernet and phone wires in the walls at your location whenever possible. It is not necessary to wire your home or business for Ethernet. However, if your location is already wired with Ethernet cables, the best Ethernet cable to use for gigabit service is Cat5e and or Cat6a.

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If you plan to use the Point Broadband wireless access point, your technician will work with you to figure out a location where you can get reliable coverage throughout the house or office area. The installer may need to install a network cable to join that location to your Point Broadband Optical Network Unit (ONU).

We have a well-staffed team that is available to support. We have local tech support and our Customer Service Professionals are available 8:00 AM-8:00 PM Mon-Tues, 8:00 AM-7:00 PM Wed-Fri, & 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Sat.

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In addition, we have a Contact Form which automatically creates a case in our queue for a call back in regards to your questions.
Our response time in most cases is no more than 24 hours, depending on volume.