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220-1201 Practice Question: A customer is moving into a new apartment…
A customer is moving into a new apartment building that has a fiber optic terminal in the basement. They want the fastest possible internet. What equipment will the technician need to install inside the apartment to complete the connection?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the ONT with a cable modem or DSL modem because all three are 'modems' that connect to a service provider, but only the ONT is specific to fiber optic technology.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
Fiber optic internet requires an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to convert the optical signal from the fiber line into electrical signals that standard Ethernet equipment can use. The ONT is typically installed inside the customer's premises and connects to the fiber terminal in the basement via a fiber patch cable, providing the fastest possible internet speeds.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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A cable modem
Why it's wrong here
A cable modem is specifically designed to modulate and demodulate data signals over coaxial cable infrastructure, primarily utilizing DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) standards. This technology interfaces with Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) networks, which are distinct from the pure fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) or fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) connections typically found in new apartment buildings offering fiber internet. Therefore, a cable modem cannot convert optical signals from a fiber line.
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A DSL modem
Why it's wrong here
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem establishes internet connectivity by transmitting data over traditional copper telephone lines, leveraging frequencies above those used for voice calls. This technology relies on the existing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) infrastructure for its physical layer. It is incompatible with fiber optic cabling, which uses light pulses for data transmission, as DSL modems lack the necessary optical transceivers to interpret fiber signals.
- ✓
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
Why this is correct
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is the correct device for fiber optic internet service, as it serves as the demarcation point for the fiber connection within the customer's premises. The ONT converts the incoming optical signals, transmitted via fiber optic cable, into electrical signals, typically Ethernet, that can be utilized by standard networking equipment like a Wi-Fi router. This conversion is essential for connecting the fiber network to the customer's local area network.
- ✗
A satellite modem
Why it's wrong here
A satellite modem is specifically engineered to facilitate internet access by communicating with geostationary or low-Earth orbit satellites via a parabolic dish antenna. This technology relies on radio frequency signals transmitted through the atmosphere to and from space, requiring line-of-sight to the satellite. It is entirely distinct from terrestrial fiber optic networks, which use light pulses through glass strands, making a satellite modem incapable of interfacing with a fiber connection.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Optical Network Terminal
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is a device that connects your home or office to the internet service provider's fiber optic network, converting light signals into electrical signals your devices can use.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.