Fiber speed: Explanatory guide and detail of Fiber Free, SFR, Bouygues and Orange speeds, all about fiber speed and the speeds offered by suppliers
All about fiber speed and speeds offered by suppliers
Several dozen fiber offers are available in France, to Prices between 20 € and 60 € per month. Naturally, the fiber speed varies from one offer to the other, and the same goes for services included in each offer.
Fiber speed: explanatory guide and detail of free, sfr, bouygues and orange speed speeds
Fiber technology allows infinitely faster connections than ADSL and offers access to web content without bandwidth clamping. What is the speed of optical fiber and how to understand the difference between real and theoretical speed ? How to determine the maximum fiber download speed of its connection ? All answers on fiber speed in this guide.
- The essential
- The speed of optical fiber is most of the time between 300 Mbit/s and 2 Gbit/s.
- In real conditions, the average fiber speed is weaker that theoretical speed.
- The download speed of a file is expressed in MO/S, and 1 MB/s is equivalent to 8 Mbit/s.
- Internet access providers all offer Subscriptions greater than 1 Gbit/s.
- You can make a Fiber speed test To determine the speed of your connection.
The fiber optical speed of each operator
THE Internet fiber offers having multiplied in recent years, it is interesting to look into it to see the fiber speed proposed by each operator. Depending on the subscription range and the technology used (FTTH or FTTLA), flows can greatly vary.
Orange and Sosh fiber speed
The Orange operator and its Low-Cost Sosh brand offer 4 fiber offers: Livebox, Livebox Up, Livebox Max, and the Sosh box.
The flows offered by the Sosh box offer reach a maximum of 300 Mbit/s, which is slightly below other operators, especially with regard to the speed in reception.
SFR fiber speed and red by SFR
SFR is one of the last operators to still offer offers based on the Fttla coaxial cable: these are its THD offers (Very high speed). Depending on its eligibility, we can therefore either opt for an SFR fiber or SFR THD offer.
The supplier has 3 fiber offers and 3 THD offers, and at Red by SFR, the Box Red subscription is available, also in THD as in fiber FTTH. With Free, it is currently the operator who offers the fastest flows in France, with 8 Gbit/s.
SFR’s THD offers are at the same prices as FTTH fiber offers, but their flow is limited to 1 Gbit/s in reception and 100 Mbit/s in broadcast. The Red THD offer offers 300 Mbit/s in reception and 30 Mbit/s in broadcast.
We can see that at SFR, the minimum SFR fiber flow rates are 500 Mbit/s, whether in reception or in broadcast. The Red Box, for its part, now offers 500 Mbit/s, which places it very well in the face of competition, given its low rate.
Free fiber speed
Free has 3 offers fiber to his credit, whose flows vary in receipt of a fiber subscription to the other. The lowest optical fiber speed offered by the operator is 1 Gbit/s, via its freebox revolution.
We climb to 5 Gbit/s with the Freebox Pop and up to 8 Gbit/s with the Freebox Delta, which makes it thefastest fiber Currently with the 8x SFR Power box. However, it is obviously a theoretical speed rarely reached in real conditions.
Bouygues fiber speed
Bouygues Telecom builds its current fiber offer around 3 subscriptions: Bbox Fit, Bbox Must and Bbox Ultym:
The Bbox Fit offers a symmetrical fiber speed at 400 Mbits, which places it at the level of other entry -level offers such as Livebox, the Sosh box or the SFR Box Starter. If you want to benefit from a satisfactory speed, it is better to turn to the Bbox Must and Ultym which reach 1 and 2 Gbit/s In descending flow.
Fiber speed: what flows do we reach with fiber ?
Optical fiber, invented in the 1970s and developed since the late 2000s on French territory, is currently the fastest internet access technology for individuals as well as professionals.
This glass wire, light driver, Allows you to transmit data at very high speed over long distances without any loss of flow, unlike ADSL and VDSL technologies that borrow the copper network.
Two types of fiber optic technology are used in France:
- There FTTH optical fiber from start to finish, using an entirely fiber optic cable connection. It is the fastest technology in France.
- There FTTLA technology, using a coaxial cable for the last meters of fiber connection. Its connection speed is slightly below that of FTTH fiber.
Optical fiber marks a clear break With other Internet access technologies, and more particularly ADSL and VDSL, which remain technologies mainly used in France. Arcep speaks of very high speed when the average downward speed is greater than 30 Mbit/s.
Descending and upright flow ? The downhill flow (Download) corresponds to data received by our internet connection. This is the most important speed to estimate the speed and speed of its connection: web navigation, file download, viewing video content, game streaming. The amount of amount (upload) refers to data issued by connection and shared on the net, such as putting photos online. It is generally lower than downward flow.
The optical fiber brings speeds that are fully part of the era of very high speed, since its flows are generally between 100 Mbit/s And 2 Gbit/s. Thus, with a speed of 1 Gbit/s, we have a connection 20 times higher possible in VDSL (50 Mbit/s) and almost 65 times greater than ADSL access (capping at 15 Mbit/s)).
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Over the years, the fiber network is quickly deployed: in 2021, the number of very high speed subscriptions has exceeds that of ADSL subscriptions, more and more individuals having the fiber in their house.
The flows also evolve: today there are many internet packages offering a fiber internet speed reaching or exceeding 1 Gbit/s, which was still rare a few years ago.
| Internet technology | Speed (Download) | Speed (Upload) |
|---|---|---|
| ADSL | Until 20 Mbit/s | Until 1Mbit/s |
| VDSL2 | Until 100 Mbit/s | Until 8 Mbit/s |
| Internet by radio | Until 30 Mbit/s | Until 5 Mbit/s |
| Internet by satellite | Until 250 Mbit/s | Until 20 Mbit/s |
| Coaxial cable (FTTLA) | Until 300 Mbit/s | Until 100 Mbit/s |
| Optic fiber (FTTH) | Until 8 Gbit/s | Until 1 Gbit/s |
Real or theoretical fiber speed: what differences ?
All the flows that can be seen on supplier sites or on most items dealing with the speed of internet access are Theoretical flows. They refer to the speed of the maximum fiber that it is possible to reach for a given box.
This speed is purely theoretical, since it is calculated as part of optimal Internet access conditions, Without major interference. It is completely normal to see a fiber optical speed capping at 800 Mbit/s while it is specified by the operator that the box can reach 1 Gbit/s.
In general, the Average fiber speed, in a real situation, is between 10 and 30% slower that the theoretical speed indicated by the operator. A wireless connection is often lower than an Ethernet cable connection (RJ45), the latter benefiting from a bandwidth without loss. So we will have a fiber speed a little Less optimal in wifi.
However, if we observe a speed of 50 Mbit/s when you are supposed to reach more than 500 Mbit/s, it is very likely that a technical problem is the source of the inconvenience. Ceures of installation, connection or network configuration can alter the speed of a fiber connection or generate internet cuts. Sometimes, network breakdowns at the local or regional level take place with the operator, whose resolution can take a few days.
Note certain operators voluntarily brutally restrict the maximum fiber connection speed reached by their box, but Draft increases options can be taken out.
To determine a fiber connection speed, just carry out a flow test on the net. This is very simple, only takes a few seconds and allows you to know your speed in reception, in broadcast as well as your ping.
Understand the fiber download speed
You have subscribed to a fiber offer with 1 Gbit/s in reception but you find that you never reach this speed during a download ? This is normal, since the fiber flow rate somehow corresponds to the bandwidth box.
The bandwidth of a modem still allows you to know its maximum speed for download. it’s about the quantity of bits (computer measurement unit) that she can download in a second. This is expressed in Megabits per second (or gigabits), which we often shorten Mbit/s, Mbps Or Mb/s.
When downloading a file, the measurement unit is expressed in Megoacts per second (MO/S). The fiber flow announced by operators is always expressed in megabits per second (Mbit/s):
- A megaoctet is equivalent to eight megabits: 1 MB = 8 Mbits.
- A mega -test means the same thing as a megabyte, therefore: 1 MB = 1 Mb = 8 Mbit.
What you should know is this report of 1 to 8 between bytes and bits. When you keep it in mind, you can understand why the flow indicated by its supplier, generally displayed in megabits per second (Mbit/s), is indeed greater than the fiber download speed that we observe, expressed in megaoctes per second (MO/S).
The reasoning is the same for the data that we send from its box: a speed of 500 Mbit/s in broadcast actually corresponds to a maximum upload fiber speed 62.5 MB/s (500 divided by 8).
Take an example of 3 fiber connections at different speeds: 100 Mbit/s, 500 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s. For download, we could respectively reach 37.5 MB/s, 62.5 MB/s and 125 MB/s. Here is an idea of the idea of Download time required For different types of files with these three distinct speeds:
| Downloaded file type | Fiber speed 100 Mbit/s | Fiber speed 500 Mbit/s | Fiber speed 1 Gbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB software | 8 seconds | Less than 2 seconds | Less than 1 second |
| 700 MB music album | 56 seconds | 11 seconds | 6 seconds |
| 10 GB 4K movie | 13 minutes 20 seconds | 2 minutes 40 seconds | 1 minute 40 seconds |
| 50 GB video game | 1 hour 7 minutes | 13 minutes 20 seconds | 6 minutes 40 seconds |
Why operators prefer to express themselves in Mbit/s rather than in Mo/s ? They are used to talking about fiber speeds in Mbit/s or Gbit/s in a commercial And because the connection speed tests are always calculated in Megabit per second and not in mega -typing. If it was expressed in mega -stems per second, the speed of the fiber would be Eight times lower And therefore the figures would appear less impressive in the eyes of consumers.
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Updated on 09/14/2023
Passionate about the Technical Universe of Telecoms, Jean started working on Echos du Net in January 2021. His favorite subject ? Articles on themes related to the operator Free.
All about fiber speed and speeds offered by suppliers
Fiber optical speed is an important criterion when trying to subscribe to a fiber subscription. 300 Mbit/s, 1 Gbit/s, 2 Gbit/s or more . speeds vary strongly from one offer to the other and for each operator. What is the average speed of fiber and what are the flows offered by suppliers ? To find out more about fiber speed, see our guide below.
Fiber eligibility test
An advisor helps you find the partner offer most suited to your home (free selectra service).
- The essential
- The fiber allows a Infinitely faster connection speed that in ADSL or in VDSL.
- Operators offer offers whose fiber speed can go 300 Mbit/s at 8 Gbit/s (in reception)
- You have to have in mind the difference between speed theoretical fiber and actual speed : all operators indicate a theoretically achievable flow, but in reality, our connections are below these figures.
What is the average fiber speed ?
Optical fiber is now present in a large part of households in France, since there are more 22 million fiber subscriptions in the country. Due to the many fiber offers available on the market, we can notice notable differences in terms of Internet speed fiber proposed by suppliers.
You should know that fiber technology, which is based on the use of a Light conductive glass wire, can go very high in terms of flows if it is not restrained. The current fiber optic speed record is 319 Tbit/s, reached by a Japanese institute during the summer of 2021. This corresponds to 319,000 Gbit/s, or more than 40,000 times The highest fiber speeds found in offers marketed in France.
Why then, the Average fiber speed is so low compared to what it can achieve in theory ? Due to the infrastructure of the fiber network and its deployment in France (and elsewhere), limitations must be implemented so as not to encounter large -scale problems. Each region, each municipality must have equitable access to a deployment of the fiber without that does not hinder the network at national scale.
This is why the majority of fiber offers, at present, are limited to 1 or 2 Gbit/s. The operators also braid the fiber speed of some of their offers so that they only keep the best speeds for their premium offers, in order to better differentiate them within their ranges.
- There Fiber called “from start to finish” (or FTTH in English, to fiber to the home): this is the most common fiber connection type in France, equipping 19.02 million households in the 1st quarter 2023. A fiber cable is pulled directly in the accommodation, without cutting. This allows the best rising rates (up to 1 Gbit/s) and descendants (up to 8 Gbit/s).
- There Coaxial ending fiber (or fttla, for fiber to the last amplifier): here, a coaxial cable is used for the last meters of connection, in place and place of the cable fiber. With this type of connection, the weakening of the fiber line is higher, which results in a slightly lower fiber speed: at most 1 Gbit/s in reception, and 100 Mbit/s in emission. There are only 0.81 million households connected to FTTLA: this type of connection is less and less used over time.
The fiber optical speed of each operator
Several dozen fiber offers are available in France, to Prices between 20 € and 60 € per month. Naturally, the fiber speed varies from one offer to the other, and the same goes for services included in each offer.
Many offers have symmetrical flows : Fiber speeds in reception and emission are strictly identical. Only fiber technology allows this kind of performance: other Internet access technologies (ADSL, Radio, Satellite) generally have a much lower amount than the downward flow.
Reminder: 1 Gbit/s is equal to 1000 Mbit/s. A bit is worth 8 bytes, so a fiber connection speed of 1 Gbit/s (or 1000 Mbit/s) allows a download of 125 MB/s (1000 divided by 8). So do not confuse the flow, expressed in bit/s, with file download speeds, generally expressed in byte/s.
SFR fiber subscriptions
The Red Square Operator has three fiber offers, the most upscale, the SFR Premium fiber box, has the highest levels on the market, with 8 Gbit/s in reception and 1 Gbit/s in broadcast. All offers are with 12 -month commitment.
SFR Note, with its RED subsidiary, is the last supplier to offer FTTLA fiber subscriptions, called “THD BOX“”. These are offered if your address is not eligible for FTTH fiber but can be connected to FTTLA. FTTLA flow rates at SFR are 1 Gbit/s in reception and 100 Mbit/s in broadcast.
You wish to take out an SFR offer ?
Bouygues fiber offer
Bouygues currently offers three internet packages from 18.99 € to 32.99€/month The first year, all with a 12 -month commitment. The Bbox Ultym offer is equipped with the modem Bbox Wifi 6, One of the latest modems marketed in France.
Sometimes the operator highlights a Bbox special series At an advantageous price: it is often an offer halfway between the Bbox Fit and Bbox must subscriptions, but limited in time.
You want to take out a bouygues offer ?
Fiber subscriptions at Free
Free is the supplier with the largest number of available modems, 4: Revolution (its flagship box, launched in 2011), Delta, Delta S and Pop. In total, there are 4 fiber subscriptions to the operator, most of which are Without minimum commitment duration. With SFR, Free has the highest descending speed (8 Gbit/s)).
The Revolution offer is accompanied by a 12 -month commitment, which allows you to enjoy an exceptional discount of 25 €/month in the first year. Indeed, the price of the revolution is to 19.99€/month the first year, then 44.99€/month.
You want to take out a free offer ?
Orange fiber internet packages
At Orange, we have three fiber offers available: Livebox, Livebox Up and the very recent offer Livebox Max (which comes equipped with the operator’s latest modem, the Livebox 6). With its 800 Gbit/s In rising speed, the offer Livebox Max is one of the quickest boxes on the emission market.
A particularity at Orange: it is the only supplier to offer real internet box packs + mobile package: Open and open up packs. By subscribing to one of these packs, you benefit from a good reduction on the chosen mobile plan.
You want to take out a livebox offer ?
Fiber speed in other operators
Discover the Fiber Optical Speed proposed by operators other than SFR, Bouygues, Orange and Free. We present below a selection of fiber offers, their Maximum descending flows as well as the prices of each offer:
Understand real and theoretical fiber speed
One thing is to be seen when you look and compare the different fiber speeds of the offers offered by suppliers: the indicated flows are Theoretically achievable flows, But they do not reflect the flows in real conditions.
When an operator indicates “flow of 1 Gbit/s”, it is essentially necessary to understand “Flow rate up to 1 Gbit/s” Or “maximum theoretical flow of 1 Gbit/s“”. It is very frequent that our connection does not reach this figure, but that it is 5 to 25% (on average) lower than announced. So you shouldn’t worry, if once your accommodation is fiber and your box received, you are not exactly 1000 Mbit/s, but a little below.
In any case, it is better to prefer, if possible, a connection By Ethernet cable RJ45 Rather than a wifi connection (more prone to flow fluctuations than by cable, and rarely reaching such a good maximum speed).
Below, find the real fiber speed measured Within a NPERF barometer study, relating to 2023 and a panel of 2.2 million fiber connections tested:
| Operator | Speed in reception | Emission speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~ 449 Mbit/s | ~ 343 Mbit/s | 13.37 ms | |
| ~ 481 Mbit/s | ~ 356 Mbit/s | 13.69 ms | |
| ~ 456MBIT/S | ~ 370 Mbit/s | 11.45 ms | |
| ~ 597 Mbit/s | ~ 407 Mbit/s | 12.59 ms |
Source: NPERF – September 22, 2023
We can see that the Fiber download speed oscillates an average of 449 to 597 Mbit/s depending on the operators, and in emission, it goes from 343 to 407 Mbit/s. The theoretical flows announced by operators in their offers are therefore most often superior to reality.
For example, Free, which does not offer any subscription under 1 Gbit/s, has an average speed of 597 Mbit/s, or 0.6 Gbit/s.
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You are fiber ? Make a fiber speed test
Our debit test tool allows you to measure the speed of your connection (whether you are in fiber, in ADSL or from a mobile connection)
Some recommendations before taking the test:
- Do not have Download or streaming in progress.
- Reduce the number ofOpen tabs in your browser.
- You are ready ? Press on Launch the test and wait about thirty seconds.
Following the test, you can view the Internet speed fiber In reception (Download), sending (upload) as well as latency (the lower it is, the better your connection).
If you are curious and use a computer, you can even test : one being connected by ethernet cable, and the other in wifi: note if there are significant speed differences between the two connection modes.
What to do in case of slow fiber speed ?
You find that your connection is slow While you should have no speed problems being fiber ? The first thing to do is to determine your flow with precision, using a test tool like the above the one.
In general, the fiber is more reliable than the ADSL, and it is much rarer to have slow connection concerns or cuts. If however you note an abnormally low fiber connection speed (for example 70 Mbit/s while you should be close to 500 Mbit/s), here are several reasons and causes that can explain, in part or completely, why your connection is so if Slow:
- A network problem linked to your operator. Technical incidents sometimes take place in terms of network infrastructure of one or more operators. Fiber lines can be disturbed or even completely cut. You can very often follow the evolution of these incidents on the sites of operators. Unfortunately there is not much to do on your side. You can also contact customer service to find out more.
- A Poor signal diffusion if you are in wifi. The wireless network of your box can be disturbed by waves from other devices (such as a microwave) or by obstacles (thick walls of a room). Try to place your box in a clear place, and if possible in the main room of your accommodation. The use of wifi amplifiers or repeaters can prove useful to obtain a good fiber connection speed in the insulated rooms of the accommodation.
- A slowness linked to your use. Even with a fiber connection, many heavy file downloads or very high definition streaming can slow down connection. If several people have this kind of use simultaneously on the same network, it can strongly slow down your fiber speed. In rare cases, malicious viruses or software (malware) can slow down your connection without you seeing it at the beginning.
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