If you’ve signed up for fiber internet, you’ve probably heard us mention a “fiber drop”. But what exactly is it – and why is it such an important step in getting you connected? No worries, we’re here to break it down.
What Is A Fiber Drop?
A fiber drop is simply the physical connection that brings fiber internet from our main network line into your home or business. Think of it as the last stretch of road that delivers all that lightning-fast internet directly to your door. Without it, there’s no way for your router to “talk” to the larger fiber network.
FIBER DROPS 101
What’s the Process?
During the construction process, one of the final steps before you can get officially connected is the fiber drop. The timing of your fiber drop depends on construction timelines in your area and whether you’ve already signed up for service. Here’s a little behind the scenes look at how the fiber drop process works:
Survey
We’ll take a look at your property to determine the best route for the fiber line.
Installation
Our crew will run the fiber from the main line (usually on your street or alley) to your home.
Connection Point
The fiber is terminated at a small box on the side of your home, which is where our installer will later connect your indoor equipment.
Clean-Up
We’ll restore the area and clean it up! We like to leave things as good as (or better than) we found them, whether that means filling in landscaping over a buried line or tidying up aerial connections.
TYPES OF FIBER DROPS:
Underground vs. Aerial Fiber Drops
There are two main ways we can deliver your fiber drop, and what works best is usually dependent on how your neighborhood utilities are set up. Here’s why:
Underground Fiber Drop
Fiber is buried using specialized equipment to make a small trench or bore, then covered back up to make it less visible and protected from the elements.
A few days before work begins, you may notice colored paint or small flags appear in your yard. These are from utility companies identifying their underground lines – this is a normal part of the process that ensures your fiber can be placed safely without disturbing other services.
Aerial Fiber Drop
Fiber is strung along utility poles, then brought down to your home. It’s quicker to install and makes sense in areas where power lines and other services are already aerial.
Both options are equally reliable – the method just depends on the infrastructure already in place in your neighborhood.
what you need to know
For Your Own Fiber Drop
We know you probably have questions about what this means for your home. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
You don't always have to be home during your fiber drop.
Our crews can usually complete the outdoor portion without you there. Most of the time, you’ll only need to be home when it’s time for the inside installation.
We always clean up after ourselves.
If your drop is underground, there may be a small trench or bore hole in your yard. Don’t worry – we’ll fill it in and restore landscaping, so it looks good as new before we leave.
Most fiber drops are completed in just a few hours.
Larger or more complex properties may take a bit longer.
After your fiber drop is complete, you're ready for install!
The hard part is done, hooray! Your property now has a direct line of fiber ready to connect. The final step is scheduling your in-home installation, where a technician will set up your router and activate your service. From there, you’ll be surfing the web faster than you can say “fiber internet”.
Our installers will bring your router to your home installation appointment.
Once the fiber drop is complete, our installers will bring all your equipment and connect everything inside, so it’s all up and running by the time they leave.
FIBER DROPS 101
The Bottom Line
Your fiber drop is the bridge between our network and your home, and it’s one of the most important steps to getting you connected. Whether it’s underground or aerial, once your fiber drop is in place, you’re just a short step away from frustration-free internet with Clearnetworx.
Check to see if your address is eligible or reach out to us! Internet just happens to be our favorite conversation topic – so if you’ve got questions, we’d be delighted to chat.