Fiber-optic internet provider already in SWFL expands into St. Petersburg

HyperFiber, a fully fiberoptic internet provider with a presence in Southwest Florida, has begun construction on a network in St. Petersburg.

Work on the $31.5 million project started earlier this month and when complete will offer fiber-to-the-home internet to more than 23,000 homes in the city.

Fiber optics, according to Merriam-Webster, are "thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower refractive index and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections."

CNET, the technology publication, says in a story on its website about the benefits of fiber internet versus internet provided by a cable company that fiber can carry more data at faster speeds and can retain signal strength and quality over long distances.

The move into St. Petersburg is part of HyperFiber’s $131.5 million expansion into Florida with service already available to some residents in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Golden Gate and Immokalee.

The Missouri-based company also offers service in Arkansas and Colorado

The company says it offers “multi-gig symmetrical connections,” which it says means upload and download speeds are equal. It also says its plan have no contracts, data caps, equipment charges and installation fees.

And its “Gig for Life” guarantees customers in good standing “a rate for life.”

According to HyperFiber’s website, 1 gig of service costs $85 per month.

But, CNET says, the technology is costlier and if a cable provider meets your needs “there’s no need to pay extra.”