Fibre Optic vs Mobile Broadband and Which is Best For Me?



Fibre Optic vs Mobile Broadband and Which is Best For Me?

Date Published 20 September 2022

Is the mobile signal strong in the area where you live? Mobile broadband and fibre optic broadband are two options you should consider if you want to move away from the part fibre you currently have. With part fibre, otherwise known as Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), you need a phone line but can do without one when you choose fibre optic or mobile broadband.


So, what are mobile and fibre optic broadband, and who are the service providers? Are there alternatives to these two types of broadband when you live in a rural area with a weak mobile signal?


What is Mobile Broadband and Who Supplies It?


Did you know you can have broadband without a phone line? One of the ways to do so is to get mobile broadband as it connects you to the internet through a 4G or 5G mobile network.


5G mobile networks are the latest technology, offering faster speeds and less delay. However, it is not available throughout the country. There are three ways to connect via mobile broadband:


Mobile dongle: It plugs into the USB port of your computer and then connects to the mobile network.


Data-only SIM card: The SIM card is inserted into a portable tablet and used anywhere there is a decent mobile signal.


Portable WiFi hub/router: The router serves as a hotspot for your mobile, computer or tablet.


Network speed and data cost are two primary considerations when choosing mobile broadband. Property Button works with Vodafone and Eir and will source the best plans for you to choose from.


Mobile internet is portable, easily shared and fast with a good connection, but the signal can be unstable. However, if a fibre line is present on the property, it delivers a more reliable and faster broadband connection than mobile broadband and typically offers better value.


What Is Fibre Optic Broadband and Who Supplies It?


Another option for internet without a landline is fibre optic. It provides faster speeds than any other broadband services and is a good choice when you enjoy gaming for hours or streaming content like Netflix online. Fibre optic broadband is offered by service providers such as Vodafone, Pure Telecom, Virgin Media and Eir.


Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), also known as Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), provides broadband via fibre-optic cables that are as thin as a strand of hair. These cables send light interpreted as data and move as fast as the speed of light. Fibre optic cables are run underground, usually sharing space with existing utility infrastructure, as it makes installation faster and costs less. The cables are then brought from a roadside Distribution Point (DP) into your home.


Fibre optic broadband is useful when your household is large, and many devices connect to the internet. Do you work from home? It also downloads large files quicker.


Property Button is a digital service that does the searching for you. We find the broadband plans available in your area, and you choose the one you need. We can also switch utilities such as waste, gas, and electricity for you. All information used by Property Button is encrypted and is compliant with data protection legislation. Do you want to move to mobile broadband? Contact Property Button today.