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Understanding the Difference Between Internet Services That Are Available: A Quick Glossary

To truly appreciate the value of fiber, it’s important to understand the other technologies still in use today. Our quick reference guide will help you to see the benefits and differences between fiber internet and other types of internet services.

Fiber Internet

  • How it Works: Transmits data using light pulses through thin strands of glass. The network is built on a direct, non-shared line to your home or business.
  • Average Speeds (2025): The gold standard in speed. Offers symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps to 8 Gbps, with multi-gig plans becoming standard. Download and upload speeds are nearly identical.
  • Reliability: Unmatched. Fiber is immune to weather and electromagnetic interference, providing consistent, low-latency, and highly reliable service with over 99.9% uptime.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

  • How it Works: Uses existing copper telephone lines to transmit data.
    • Average Speeds (2025): Varies greatly based on distance from the central office. Typically ranges from 1 to 100 Mbps, with highly asymmetrical speeds (uploads are much slower).
    • Reliability: Highly susceptible to distance and signal degradation. Often unreliable for modern, bandwidth-intensive tasks.

Cable Internet

  • How it Works: Transmits data over the same coaxial cables used for cable TV.
    • Average Speeds (2025): Download speeds can be fast, ranging from 50 to 1,000 Mbps. However, uploads are significantly slower and the network is shared with your neighbors, which can lead to slowdowns during peak hours.
    • Reliability: Generally reliable, but the shared network can lead to inconsistent performance.

Satellite Internet

  • How it Works: Uses a satellite dish to transmit and receive data from a satellite in orbit.
    • Average Speeds (2025): Speeds can range from 25 to 150 Mbps, but this can be misleading.
    • Reliability: Highly susceptible to weather conditions and has significant latency issues (due to the immense distance data must travel), making it unsuitable for real-time applications like online gaming or video calls.

Fixed Wireless Internet

  • How it Works: Data is transmitted wirelessly from a ground-based tower to a receiver on your home or business.
    • Average Speeds (2025): Typically ranges from 25 to 300 Mbps.
    • Reliability: Requires a clear line of sight to the tower and is susceptible to weather and physical obstructions.

Mobile Broadband (5G Home Internet)

  • How it Works: Uses the same 5G cellular network as your smartphone to provide a home internet connection.
    • Average Speeds (2025): Speeds can vary widely based on network traffic and signal strength, from 50 to 500 Mbps.
    • Reliability: The reliability can be inconsistent as it depends on cellular tower capacity and congestion, and the service can be affected by physical obstructions.

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Receive 3 Months Free!

All new customers receive 3 months of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Regular Bundle!

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Limited-Time Offer!

Offer Eligibility: Orders must be placed between November 7–26, 2025, and service must be installed by December 20, 2025. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Streaming Bundle will be sent to the customer once service is ordered and an install date is scheduled. Empire Fiber Internet will cover the monthly charge of the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Streaming Bundle (a $29.99/mo. value) for the first three months. If a customer disconnects service during the promotion, downgrades their plan, or is past due, the promotion will be cancelled, and the customer will be responsible for the streaming service’s monthly charge. After the three-month promotion, the customer is responsible for the charge of the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Streaming Bundle.

Offer applies only to new residential, serviceable online orders. Previous orders and pending installations are not eligible.

Redemption Process: After scheduling your installation, customers will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem their reward.

Additional Terms: This offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated. Empire Fiber Internet reserves the right to modify or terminate this promotion at any time. Misuse or abuse of the offer may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of any remaining value.

By participating in this promotion, customers agree to these terms and conditions.

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the elite plan

2 Gbps

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The Ultimate Experience

This is the plan for those who demand the best and won’t compromise on speed. The Elite plan delivers our most powerful connection, designed for the most demanding online activities. This is your no-lag, no-buffer experience for competitive gaming, large file uploads, and streaming high-quality video across multiple screens. It’s the ultimate performance that gives you a seamless, flawless connection, every time.

  • Includes Everything from the Essential and Enhanced Plans: Enjoy all the benefits of our foundational plan, plus these powerful upgrades.
  • Unleash Unbeatable Speed: With a staggering 2 Gbps, this plan is built to handle everything you throw at it, future-proofing your home and eliminating all lag.
  • Experience Peace of Mind With Our App: With CommandIQ, ProtectIQ, and ExperienceIQ, you can stream, game, create, and connect with absolute confidence.
  • Leave the Competition Behind: This top-tier plan provides the ultimate in speed and security, offering an unmatched internet experience that competitors simply can't touch.

The elite plan is ideal for power users, streamers, or professionals who need the fastest possible speeds.

the enhanced plan

1 Gbps

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Powering a Connected Household

When life gets busy, your internet shouldn’t slow down. This plan is built for the connected household where multiple devices are running at once. Whether it’s remote work, homework, online gaming, or streaming in 4K, this plan provides the balance of speed and performance you need to keep everyone in the family connected and happy, all at the same time. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing your connection can handle whatever life throws at it.

  • Includes Everything from Essential: Enjoy all the benefits of our foundational plan, plus these powerful upgrades.
  • A Massive Speed Boost: Jump to 1 Gbps to power a truly connected home, perfect for multiple streamers, gamers, and remote workers
  • Ultimate Peace of Mind: Includes the ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ apps to automatically secure every device on your network from online threats, offering comprehensive protection.
  • Seamless Home Management: Take charge of your home's digital world with the ExperienceIQ app, giving you advanced control over screen time, content, and internet access.

The enhanced plan is ideal for homes with multiple users and devices.

the essential plan

500 Mbps

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The Foundation for a Smarter Home

This is our most straightforward plan, designed for the quiet moments and simple needs of one or two people. It’s the perfect foundation for staying connected without overpaying. We focus on providing a reliable, no-frills connection for everything from checking email and browsing the web to streaming your favorite shows in standard definition. It’s internet that just works, providing the reliability you need at a price you’ll love.

  • Blazing-Fast Speeds: Experience smooth streaming and responsive browsing with speeds up to 500 Mbps.
  • Ultra-Reliable Connection: Our symmetrical speeds guarantee lightning-fast uploads, making video calls and file sharing effortless.
  • Complete Control: The CommandIQ app puts the power of your home network in the palm of your hand, allowing you to manage devices and monitor usage with ease.

The essential plan is ideal for individuals or couples who are not heavy streamers or gamers.

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Save While You Stream!

Receive a $200 MyBundle Streaming Choice Card when you sign up online for one of our fiber internet plans.

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Limited-Time Offer! 

Offer Eligibility: New Empire Access customers who sign up for residential internet service between July 24, 2025, and August 15, 2025, at midnight Eastern Time are eligible to receive a one-time $200 Streaming Choice Card. You must place your fiber internet order online to qualify. Customer can participate in only one promo at a time.

Redemption Process: After maintaining 60 days of active service following installation, and so long as the account remains in good standing, customers will receive an email from MyBundle with instructions on how to redeem their one-time $200 Streaming Choice Card. Customers must complete the redemption within 90 days of receiving the email, or the offer will expire. 

Streaming Choice Card Issuance: The Streaming Choice Card will be provided as a one-time $200 virtual card that can be used toward streaming services, including new or existing subscriptions. 

Usage Guidelines: The $200 Streaming Choice Card must be used within 12 months of issuance, or any remaining balance will be forfeited.

Service Changes: If a customer cancels Empire Access service or their account is not in good standing before the bonus card is issued, they will forfeit eligibility for the offer. 

Additional Terms: This offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated. Empire Access and MyBundle reserve the right to modify or terminate this promotion at any time. Misuse or abuse of the offer may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of any remaining value.

By participating in this promotion, customers agree to these terms and conditions.