When home internet access was a new curiosity, providers connected homes to the web over phone or cable TV lines. In fact, DSL services still use phone landlines to transmit data. Cable is only marginally better, but its speeds top out where fiber-fed internet begins.

As streaming, gaming, remote work and smart devices proliferate, the demand for robust internet infrastructure continues to grow. Among the various technologies available, fiber-optic internet stands out for its exceptional resilience to slowdowns. But what exactly gives fiber-optic internet its edge?

If you’ve shopped home internet prices in the past, you know fiber internet can sometimes cost more than older technologies. Don’t let the sticker shock fool you, though. Compared to cable, DSL and wireless options, fiber consistently delivers the best value in home internet. Here’s a look at why.

When fiber internet first hit the scene with Gigabit speeds, many conveniences we take for granted today — such as streaming movies, live TV and music, as well as video conferencing, online gaming and more — were still in their infancy.

Those early adopters of fiber were rewarded with the fastest and most reliable internet available and a front-row seat for the future of the internet. And it didn’t take long for it to arrive. Today, 89 percent of households use the internet to stream entertainment.

Knowing the difference between Mbps and Gbps is fundamental to choosing the right internet for your needs.

So, if you find yourself getting lost trying to understand all the figures, data and techie acronyms surrounding your internet service and how they impact the user experience, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.

In our digital-first world, internet access is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. And fiber is the gold standard of internet connectivity, giving users the speed, bandwidth and reliability to work remotely, stream 4K content, play online video games, run a business and much more.

Here are six solid reasons why fiber internet is one of the most important investments you can make in your family and your home.

When the skies darken and storms threaten, exposed internet and other utility lines such as power and cable television commonly blink or drop service completely.

Households using traditional cable or DSL internet connections are most susceptible to the slow speeds, interruptions and complete outages common in severe weather. But fiber-optic internet users often experience a different story.