A 100Mbps fiber optic connection does not require a gigabit router; a router with a 100Mbps WAN port is sufficient, though a gigabit router provides future-proofing and better performance.

Router Requirements for 100Mbps Fiber

For a 100Mbps fiber plan, your router must have a WAN port that supports at least 100Mbps to handle the full speed of your connection. Most modern routers, including Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 models, come with Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are more than sufficient for a 100Mbps plan and allow for faster wired connections to multiple devices . Using a router with a gigabit WAN port will not increase your internet speed beyond 100Mbps, but it ensures that the router will not become a bottleneck if you upgrade to a faster plan in the future .

Benefits of a Gigabit Router

Even though a 100Mbps connection does not require gigabit speeds, a gigabit router offers advantages:

• Future-proofing: If you upgrade to a 1Gbps fiber plan later, your router can handle the higher speeds without replacement .
• Better LAN performance: Gigabit LAN ports allow faster file transfers between devices on your local network.
• Improved Wi-Fi performance: Modern Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E routers with gigabit ports can manage multiple devices efficiently, reducing congestion and latency .

Summary

For a 100Mbps fiber connection, a router with a 100Mbps WAN port is sufficient. However, using a gigabit router is recommended if you want to future-proof your network, improve local network performance, and take advantage of modern Wi-Fi standards. Ensure your router is fiber-compatible and has the appropriate WAN port to connect to your ONT (Optical Network Terminal) provided by your ISP .