Understanding EMF and wireless technology in your home
Homes rely on electrical and wireless technologies every day. Kitchen appliances, mobile phones and connected devices support communication, entertainment and daily routines. Established safety standards govern the design and operation of this equipment in the United States.
How fiber internet works
Fiber-optic internet uses thin strands of glass, sometimes plastic, called optical fibers. These fibers transmit data as pulses of light instead of electrical signals. Manufacturers bundle the fibers into cables that carry large amounts of information quickly and efficiently over long distances.
Each optical fiber carries data through a process called total internal reflection. Light signals travel through the center, or core, of the fiber and reflect off its inner walls. A surrounding layer called cladding reflects the light back inward and keeps the signal contained as it moves through the cable.
The connection to the home is a physical wired line that carries light within sealed glass fibers.
How Wi-Fi is delivered
Inside the home, the router connects fiber internet service to wireless devices. It receives the internet signal from the fiber connection and distributes it to connected equipment.
The router manages traffic between devices and the broader internet. It directs data to the correct device, keeps connections organized and supports multiple devices operating at the same time. With Ting Fiber Internet, we deliver Wi-Fi using eero routers.
Wireless communication in everyday devices
Devices that communicate wirelessly, including routers, mobile phones, Bluetooth accessories, baby monitors and cordless phones, use radiofrequency signals. Broadcast radio, television signals and other communications infrastructure rely on the same technology.
Federal regulation governs technologies that use radiofrequency energy in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets technical standards and requires equipment authorization before manufacturers can market or sell devices. Regulators develop these standards using scientific research and public health guidance.
Wireless signals in everyday technology
Many modern devices communicate by sending and receiving signals through the air. Phones, tablets, routers and other connected equipment use this method to exchange information.
A wide range of technologies use the same type of signal-based communication, including:
- Mobile phones
- Televisions and radios
- Bluetooth accessories such as headphones and speakers
- Baby monitors
- Cordless phones
- Smart meters
- Microwave ovens
- Home security systems
- Smart thermostats
- Laptops and tablets
- Gaming consoles
Manufacturers design these devices to meet federal standards. Ting eero equipment meets Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements and carries UL certification. These certifications confirm compliance with established regulatory and emissions standards.
When used as intended, certified Wi-Fi equipment operates well below the exposure limits established by federal regulators.
Fiber internet service is delivered through a wired glass connection. The fiber line itself does not emit radiofrequency energy.
Resources
Federal regulatory and public health authorities establish and oversee standards related to radiofrequency technology. These agencies evaluate scientific research, set national guidelines and define compliance requirements for electronic devices sold in the United States.
Ting does not make independent health claims and relies on standards established by regulatory and public health authorities.
More information is available from:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Radio Frequency Safety
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH): Wi-Fi Technology and Human Health Impact: A Brief Review of Current Knowledge
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