Fiber optics is a technology for communicating data via pulses of light. The light pulses are transmitted over a cable made of many optical fibers, which are thin strands of glass or plastic. Fiber optics provide greater transmission capacity than copper wire or radio waves.
TIME TO DOWNLOAD A TWO-HOUR DVD
• Dial-up modem: 20,000 minutes.
• Basic DSL (3 megabits per second): 267 minutes
• Higher-speed DSL (6 megabits per second): 133 minutes
• Optical fiber (100 megabits per second): 8 minutes.
Source: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Local
High Schools
Hockey coach with roots in Minneapolis Park and Rec dies at 81
Jeff Shelstad coached at St. Anthony and Hastings and was older brother to two Gophers players.
Election
Legal Marijuana Now Party fights to keep its major party status before Minnesota Supreme Court
The DFL Party filed a petition arguing LMN failed to meet legal requirements to be certified as a major party.
Minneapolis
Officials say man shot 2 months ago in vacant downtown Minneapolis triplex was victim of homicide
Police said there have been no arrests made in connection with the killing, nor have they commented about a possible motive.
High Schools
Official who helped MSHSL on pioneering ventures dies at 89
As an associate director, John Bartz helped the league start state tournaments in girls hockey and adapted sports.
Local
Buy Nothing meets GoFundMe: How a Eden Prairie website aims to 'revolutionize' philanthropy
RedLadder is a new online marketplace where people trade free household items, resulting in donations to Twin Cities nonprofits.
