“Fiber Optics Surpasses Traditional Cable”
The use of fiber optics increased in the early 1990’s; however, this technology had been developed in the early 1960’s. This development was associated with the improvements that engineers had achieved in relation to the optic fiber cable (Dianov, 9). One of the developments was the introduction of the multimode fiber optic to replace the single mode fiber optic cables. The multimode fiber optic cable was associated with a higher internet speed compared to the single mode fiber optic cable; the speed of the former was at 100 petabits per second. This increased its popularity among many internet users (Dianov, 11). Moreover, the rapid rate at which the fiber optic cables were used in the 1990’s has been associated with the fact that it was more efficient that normal electric cables that were made of copper wires. Many communication networks in the developed nations were mainly manufactured with copper wires; additionally copper wires were used to manufacture electrical lines, although they were not efficient considering the fact that they had a rate of expansion.
With the rapid rate of introduction of computer technology, the increased rate which the population could afford computers, there was an increased demand in the number of people in need of internet services. Fiber optics was preferred by many people as a result of the aforementioned benefits. This increased its popularity over traditional cables. The higher level of popularity of fiber cables over traditional cables was also associated with the fact that fiber cables were offered in different varieties; this gave users i.e. companies to select the specific types of fiber optic cables that could suit their needs.
Telecommunication Act of 1996
This act was considered a major overhaul of the United States Telecommunication laws after a period of six decades (www.shoretelsky.com). It was basically meant to amend the stipulations of the Communication Act of 1934. The Act was approved by the then President, Bill Clinton; he believed that it would create a major change in the governance of telecommunication issues in the United States (www.shoretelsky.com). This Act did not have a direct impact on the use of fiber optic cables; however, it had a major influence the usage of internet services. In the perspective of the then government, this act was basically created to enhance competition among communication companies, as such, it is considered to have widened and improved the fiber optic cable business, leading the emergence of new companies and other major players within the United States population.
The increase in the number of players in the communication industry in the United States was deemed appropriate as it would create an opportunity for the United States populace to subscribe to various communication service providers, hence improving internet affordability. After the introduction of this act, the cost of internet dropped significantly in the United States; the internet has become an important resource among Americans. Owing to the fact that many people prefer using fiber optics cable for internet services; this act has been associated with the increased use of fiber optic cables among the US populace (Crandall, 17). The act has also created a level-operational field for many communication companies, mainly through de-regulation that has reduced development of monopolies in the US communication industry.
Work Cited
"The Telecommunications Act of 1996 | A Brief History | ShoreTel Sky." ShoreTel Sky. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.shoretelsky.com/resources/telecommunications-act-of-1996/>.
Crandall, Robert W. Competition and Chaos U.S. Telecommunications since the 1996 Telecom Act. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2005. Print.
Dianov, E. M. Fiber Optics: Research and Development. New York: Nova Science, 1992. Print.
