There is a lot of hype about fiber optic internet these days and rightfully so. If you are considering switching to fiber, make sure you're signing up for 100% fiber, not "partial" fiber that doesn't deliver the performance you expect.

Fiber is so popular that many cable internet providers now advertise themselves as "fiber-powered," but still rely on coaxial cables — the same cable tech that's been around for decades — to carry the signal to individual homes. That means you'll still deal with the headaches and drawbacks of traditional cable internet, including shared bandwidth and speed limitations.

There's also the issue of price transparency. Some internet service providers (ISPs) advertise attractive prices and bold speed claims, then hide promotional price jumps, multiple fees, equipment costs and contract terms in the fine print. The result? You end up paying more money for less speed and reliability.

The good news is that there are ISPs like Ziply Fiber that provide true, 100% end-to-end fiber internet and deliver the price, speed and performance they advertise. No surprises.

Here's how to spot the difference between "fiber-powered" networks and true fiber optic internet that you can rely on:

Network infrastructure

Not all fiber is created equal. Some ISPs claim they are "fiber-powered" or "fiber-based," but only have some fiber somewhere in their network, not necessarily in your neighborhood and definitely not connected to your home. Cable companies still use traditional coaxial "coax" cables to deliver internet to your home, not fiber as their advertising suggests.

When an ISP's network is built on fiber from its internet backbone to its central offices to all its neighborhoods and direct to every home, then that's real, 100% fiber.

Bandwidth

Traditional cable internet uses shared infrastructure. That means bandwidth gets shared between neighbors and that often results in significant speed slow-downs for everyone, especially during peak hours.

Because a partial fiber network really uses shared cable infrastructure, you'll still have to contend with slow internet speeds and performance issues when everyone in the neighborhood logs on after work and school — buffering, slow game play, stalled video calls, longer downloads.

True fiber internet gives you a dedicated, direct, 100% fiber connection.

Speeds

Many ISPs boast about download speeds while whispering about their upload speeds. That's because coax cables don't deliver the same speeds in both directions. So, while you may be on a "fiber-powered" network and paying for an internet plan that offers "up to 1 Gbps" download speed, you may end up with an upload speed maxing out at just a fraction of that, which can cause major challenges for anyone who streams or works remotely.

Only 100% fiber delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds, giving you exactly what you're paying for.

Pricing

If an ISP isn't transparent about their network infrastructure, bandwidth and speeds, chances are that their pricing will be just as opaque.

The advertised price may not be the actual price you'll see on your monthly bill. Instead, you'll find other line items, including equipment fees, convenience fees and several other add-ons. What's more, if there's an asterisk next to the price, chances are that the introductory price only lasts 12 months, and you can expect a price hike in the near future.

Choose true 100% fiber internet with no surprises

Don't wait for a rude awakening with a "fiber-powered" network. Choose the real deal that offers true fiber internet from the start.

With Ziply Fiber, you can count on 100% fiber, end-to-end, from the internet backbone to the port on your wall that you don't have to share. You can also expect symmetrical upload and download speeds from day one. No lagging, just a fast connection.

Best of all, Ziply Fiber's pricing is simple and straightforward: what you see advertised is what you will pay. Plus, the WiFi 7 equipment for your home is included — no disappearing introductory rates, no hidden fees, no credit checks, no annual contracts and no data caps.

To learn more about the benefits of 100% fiber internet, visit ZiplyFiber.com.