Wireless Infrastructure By The Numbers

Is wireless optical communication the same as fiber optic communication

In theory, a wireless network can transmit data at the same speed as optical fiber. This article explores the differences between optical communication and wireless communication, outlining the pros and cons of each technology. Like radio waves, light is an electromagnetic signal. Download this article in PDF format. Communications have relied on signals propagating through the air from the earliest. Fiber-optic cable systems convert packets of data -- images, text, video, emails -- into a stream of light. Wireless communication converts the data it transmits into electromagnetic. The terms 'fiber optic' and 'wireless broadband' are often used interchangeably when referring to internet connectivity.

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