Frequently Asked Questions

Fiber internet is a high-speed broadband connection that uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data. Unlike traditional copper wires, fiber-optic cables use light signals to send data, allowing it to travel at nearly 70% of the speed of light. This results in faster downloads, smoother streaming and a more reliable connection for all your online activities. It is especially well-suited for today’s digital needs, whether working from home, gaming, streaming or using smart home devices.

For more information on how fiber internet works and its advantages, check out our full guide here.

Fiber optic internet uses thin strands of glass called optical fibers to transmit data as light signals. When you send or receive data, it’s first converted into light by a transmitter. The light travels through the fiber and reaches its destination where a receiver converts it back into electronic data that your devices can use. This allows fiber to deliver faster speeds and more reliable connections than traditional copper cables, making it ideal for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming and working from home.

Yes, but instead of a traditional modem, fiber internet typically requires an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). The ONT converts the light signals transmitted through fiber optic cables into electronic data that your devices can use. Some ONTs act as both a modem and router, so you only need one piece of equipment to distribute the internet signal throughout your home.

Fiber internet itself is not wireless. It uses fiber-optic cables to deliver a high-speed, wired connection to your home. However, once the fiber connection is installed, you can set up a wireless router to provide Wi-Fi throughout your home, allowing you to connect to the internet wirelessly on your devices.

Fiber internet offers several advantages over traditional broadband options like cable, fixed wireless or DSL:

1. Faster Speeds: Fiber delivers significantly higher speeds, both for downloads and uploads, which is ideal for activities like streaming, gaming and working from home. Cable connections often experience slower speeds, especially during peak usage times.
2. Greater Reliability: Fiber-optic cables are less prone to interference from weather or electrical devices, providing a more stable connection. Cable, on the other hand, can be affected by signal degradation and distance from the source.
3. Symmetrical Speeds: Fiber provides equal upload and download speeds, which is especially beneficial for video conferencing, cloud storage and online gaming—something that cable can’t offer.
4. Future-Proof Technology: As data usage continues to grow, fiber internet is built to handle future demands, while cable may struggle to keep up with the increasing need for speed and bandwidth.

Fiber internet availability depends on the infrastructure in your region. Mercury Broadband is proud to bring high-speed fiber internet to rural and underserved areas in Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Ohio. To see if we’re in your community, enter your address here. We’re continually expanding our network to serve more communities, so even if it’s not available yet, you can sign up to be notified when we’re in your area.

To find out if fiber internet is available at your house, enter your address here. If fiber service isn’t available yet, you can sign up to be notified when it becomes available in your area.

Yes, you can get fiber internet in an apartment as long as fiber service is available in your area and your apartment complex allows for the installation of fiber-optic cables. Mercury Broadband provides fiber internet across Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio, including apartments. To check if fiber internet is available in your area, enter your address here.

Fiber internet offers incredibly fast speeds, with download and upload speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 5 Gbps or higher. These speeds are ideal for streaming HD or 4K video, online gaming, video conferencing and working from home without lag or buffering.

The internet speed you need to work from home depends on the type of work you do. Here are some general guidelines:

• Basic tasks (email, browsing, and light document editing): 25-50 Mbps
• Video conferencing and collaboration tools: 50-100 Mbps
• Streaming HD or 4K video: 100-200 Mbps
• Large file transfers: 100-200 Mbps
• Heavy multitasking across multiple devices and users: 200+ Mbps

Fiber internet is perfect for working from home, as it provides fast, reliable speeds that can handle multiple devices and heavy usage without slowing down.

Fiber internet can support many devices simultaneously without compromising speed or performance. Depending on your internet plan and your home’s setup, fiber internet can easily handle dozens of devices, including smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets, gaming consoles and smart home devices.

Yes, fiber internet is excellent for gaming! It provides fast, low-latency connections that are essential for smooth, lag-free gameplay. With fiber, you get high download and upload speeds, which are crucial for fast game downloads, real-time interactions and streaming gameplay.

Fiber also offers symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload and download speeds are equally fast, which is especially beneficial for online gaming and streaming. Additionally, fiber’s reliability ensures you won’t experience interruptions during peak usage times, making it a top choice for gamers.

Yes, fiber internet is perfect for supporting advanced home networks, including smart devices and IoT (Internet of Things) systems. With its high speeds and large bandwidth capacity, fiber can easily handle the demands of multiple devices connected to your network, such as smart thermostats, security cameras, voice assistants and other IoT gadgets.

Fiber optic internet installation involves a few steps to ensure optimal performance. Here’s an overview of the process:

• Network Connection: The fiber-optic cables are run from the local fiber network to a distribution point near your home. Depending on your area, this might involve running cables underground or along utility poles.
• Bringing Fiber To Your Home: A fiber-optic cable will be run from the distribution point, either buried or from a nearby utility pole, and connected to your home.
• In-Home Setup: A technician will bring the fiber cables to your home and install an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). The ONT converts the light signals from the fiber cables into usable data for your devices.
• Router Setup: After the ONT is installed, your router will be connected to distribute the internet signal throughout your home. The technician will ensure everything is working properly and the router is placed in the best location for optimal coverage.

The cost of fiber internet can vary depending on your location and the plan you choose. At Mercury, we offer affordable Fiber internet plans depending on your needs. Call us at (800) 354-4915 to hear about our latest promotions.

No, fiber internet from Mercury does not come with data caps or usage limits. This means you can enjoy unlimited browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading without worrying about service slowdowns or extra charges.

Yes, fiber internet is generally more reliable than traditional broadband options like cable or DSL. Fiber-optic cables are less susceptible to interference or signal degradation from electrical signals, weather conditions or distance from the source, which ensures a more stable and consistent connection.

Unlike copper-based connections, fiber doesn’t degrade over time or experience signal loss over long distances, making it a more dependable choice for uninterrupted service, even during peak usage hours or adverse weather. This makes fiber a superior option for anyone who requires a fast, consistent connection.

Fiber internet performs exceptionally well during high-traffic periods or peak usage times. Unlike cable or DSL connections, which can experience slowdowns as more users access the network, fiber internet maintains its speed and reliability. This is because fiber-optic cables use light to transmit data, which doesn’t suffer from congestion the same way copper cables do.

Since fiber uses light signals to transmit data, it is less susceptible to disruptions from weather-related issues like storms or power surges. This makes fiber internet a reliable option during bad weather, providing a stable connection even when traditional broadband services may experience outages.

Unlike copper-based connections like cable, which can be affected by rain, wind or extreme temperatures, fiber-optic cables are immune to electromagnetic interference and environmental conditions.