FTTH vs FTTB vs GPON: Which Fiber Optic Internet Is Best for You?

When setting up home internet, terms like FTTH, FTTB, and GPON are increasingly common. Internet providers market them as "modern fiber optic" solutions, promising high speeds and stable connections, but rarely explain the real differences. For most users, these abbreviations seem similar, though in practice each represents a distinct internet access technology.

Your choice between FTTH, FTTB, and GPON affects not only your internet plan's maximum speed but also connection stability, latency for online games, streaming quality, and how your internet performs during peak times. Sometimes the difference is barely noticeable, but in other cases-especially with heavy use or many connected devices-it can be critical.

In this article, we'll break down what FTTH, FTTB, and GPON mean in plain language, how each technology works, and which is best for your apartment or private house.

Types of Fiber Optic Internet Explained

Fiber optic internet is a data transmission technology where information is sent as light pulses through a thin fiber. Unlike copper cables, fiber optics lose almost no signal over distance, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and can provide extremely high connection speeds. That's why fiber is the backbone of most modern access networks.

However, "fiber optic" isn't a one-size-fits-all connection. Several technologies differ based on where the fiber cable terminates and how the signal finally enters your home. This is where FTTB, FTTH, and GPON come in.

In one scenario, fiber reaches only to the building, with a regular network cable used inside. In another, fiber goes directly into your apartment. A third uses a passive optical network where one fiber channel is shared among several subscribers. Externally, these setups may look similar, but they operate on different principles.

If you want a deeper technical understanding of data transmission and the inner workings of fiber, check out our detailed guide: How Fiber Optic Internet Works: Structure, Speed, and Light-Based Data Transmission.

What Is FTTB and How Does It Work?

FTTB (Fiber To The Building) is a connection technology where the fiber optic cable is brought to the building, and then regular copper Ethernet cables distribute the internet to each apartment. This was the most common setup in cities for years and is still widely used.

The process is straightforward: from the provider's node, fiber enters the building's basement or a technical room with active network equipment installed. From there, twisted-pair cables distribute the signal to apartments. That's why with FTTB, you typically use a standard Ethernet cable to connect your router or computer.

• Advantages: FTTB is accessible and inexpensive to deploy. Providers don't need to run separate fiber to each apartment, and users don't need specialized optical equipment. It easily supports speeds of 100-500 Mbps, and in some buildings, up to 1 Gbps.
• Limitations: The copper segment inside the building is sensitive to cable quality, wiring condition, and equipment load. During peak hours, speeds may drop and latency may rise-especially if the infrastructure is old or overloaded.

What Makes FTTH Different?

FTTH (Fiber To The Home) is a technology where the fiber optic cable runs directly into your apartment or house. Unlike FTTB, there is no copper segment at the final stage-signal travels entirely over fiber from the provider to the user.

This means the fiber cable enters your living space and connects to an optical terminal or FTTH-compatible router. This setup preserves signal quality and avoids losses typical of internal copper wiring.

• Advantages: FTTH offers maximum stability and bandwidth. It easily supports speeds of 1 Gbps and above, and handles high loads when many devices are online. Latency is typically lower-ideal for gaming, video calls, and cloud services.
• Drawbacks: Installation is more complex and expensive. Providers must run dedicated fiber to each apartment, and users need specialized equipment. Still, FTTH is considered the most promising wired internet model, and many networks are gradually upgrading to it.

What Is GPON and Why Is It Often Confused with FTTH?

GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) is a fiber access technology using a passive optical network. From the outside, GPON looks a lot like FTTH: the fiber cable also goes straight into your home. That's why people often mix them up or think they're the same.

The key difference is in how the network works. With GPON, one fiber channel from the provider is split among several users using passive optical splitters. These require no power or active electronics, simplifying the infrastructure and reducing maintenance costs. At home, an optical terminal (ONT) converts the signal to standard Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

• Advantages: GPON is cost-effective and scalable. The provider doesn't need a separate fiber for every client, making it quicker and cheaper to deploy, especially in new developments or private homes.
• Limitations: Since the channel is shared, peak hours may see speed dips if many users are active. In normal conditions, this is barely noticeable, but heavy network use can highlight the difference compared to "pure" FTTH.

FTTH, FTTB and GPON: Key Differences

The main differences between FTTB, FTTH, and GPON aren't in the fiber itself, but in the network's architecture and how the signal is delivered to the user. These factors impact speed, stability, and performance under load.

• FTTB brings fiber only to the building. The signal then travels via copper Ethernet, with active equipment inside. This makes the technology dependent on internal network quality and equipment load. With good gear, the difference is minor, but older buildings may experience speed drops and higher latency.
• FTTH provides a dedicated fiber line to each apartment. Every user gets a private physical channel, not shared with neighbors, resulting in maximum stability, minimal latency, and high speed-ideal for heavy use, gaming, and large data transfers.
• GPON is technically a form of FTTH but uses a passive network that splits the channel among multiple users. Speeds remain high in most cases, but peak-time fluctuations can occur depending on the total line load. It's a balance between rollout cost and connection quality.

Speed, Stability, and Latency: What Matters Most?

When choosing between FTTB, FTTH, and GPON, most users focus on advertised speeds. But in practice, raw Mbps isn't the main indicator of internet quality. Stability and latency matter more, especially with heavy or multi-device use.

• Speed determines how fast files, videos, and updates load. All three technologies can offer hundreds of Mbps, so for regular browsing, streaming, and work, the difference may be negligible. Issues only arise when the network is overloaded or infrastructure is maxed out.
• Stability is crucial for video calls, streaming, and remote work. FTTH leads here, since each apartment gets its own fiber and isn't affected by neighbor usage. FTTB's performance depends on the building's internal wiring, while GPON depends on how many users share a segment.
• Latency (ping) is vital for online games and interactive services. FTTH usually offers the lowest and most predictable latency. GPON performs well, but can fluctuate under heavy load. FTTB is more dependent on equipment quality and can be less stable during peak times.

FTTB: Pros and Cons

FTTB remains widespread, especially in apartment buildings where fiber was installed years ago. This approach has clear advantages and limitations that should be considered before subscribing.

• Pros: Accessible and easy to install. Uses standard Ethernet cables; no optical terminal required; most home routers are compatible. Installation and maintenance are usually cheaper than FTTH, and speeds of 100-500 Mbps meet most needs.
• Cons: The copper segment and active equipment inside the building affect connection quality. Performance depends on internal wiring, cable age, and switch load. During peak hours, speed drops and latency spikes are possible, especially in older buildings or with many users per node.

FTTH: Pros and Cons

FTTH is the most modern and technically "pure" wired internet model, making it the top choice for quality. However, it has both strong points and certain nuances.

• Pros: Maximum connection stability. Fiber goes directly into the apartment, with no copper segments or intermediate active nodes. Each user gets a dedicated channel, ensuring predictable speed, minimal latency, and reliable performance even under heavy load-ideal for gaming, streaming, and remote work.
• Cons: Installation is more complex and costly. Providers must run dedicated fiber to each apartment, and users need optical terminals or FTTH-compatible routers. In some buildings, this may not be available due to infrastructure or upgrade costs.

GPON: Pros and Cons

GPON is widely used in both apartment buildings and private homes as it lets providers quickly and affordably deploy fiber networks. It occupies a middle ground between classic FTTH and simpler connection types.

• Pros: Cost-effective and scalable. One fiber channel serves multiple users, reducing network rollout expenses. Users enjoy high advertised speeds, stable performance in daily use, and can connect where full FTTH would be too expensive.
• Cons: The channel is shared. Bandwidth is divided among all users on a segment, so peak-time slowdowns and unstable latency may occur if neighbors are heavy users. For most households, this isn't noticeable, but under heavy loads, the difference with dedicated FTTH can be felt.

Which Technology Is Best for Apartments and Houses?

Choosing between FTTB, FTTH, and GPON involves more than just advertised speed; connection conditions, housing type, and internet usage patterns all play a role. There's no single solution for everyone, but some guidelines can help you decide:

• For apartments in modern buildings: FTTB is acceptable if the building and internal network are in good condition. It's suitable for browsing, streaming, and work, but may be less stable during peak times. If FTTH is available, it's a more reliable and future-proof choice, especially for heavy users or many devices.
• For new developments and private homes: GPON is often the optimal compromise, offering high speeds and easy installation. Any speed dips under heavy load are usually negligible for typical home use. GPON generally performs well for streaming, video calls, and gaming.
• If you need maximum stability: FTTH is the best choice. A dedicated fiber line ensures minimal latency and predictable performance-even under heavy load. This makes FTTH the most promising option for the years ahead.

Conclusion

FTTB, FTTH, and GPON are distinct approaches to fiber optic internet, with differences rooted in network architecture-not just "marketing names." FTTB is widely available and cost-effective, but relies on the state of building infrastructure. GPON strikes a balance between cost and quality by sharing fiber channels through a passive network. FTTH provides the most stable connection with dedicated fiber reaching each home.

When choosing your technology, consider not only the plan's speed but also stability, latency, and the real-world connection conditions in your building. If you can get FTTH, it's the most reliable and future-proof option. GPON suits most users and handles everyday tasks well. FTTB remains a practical solution where modern fiber direct to the apartment isn't available.