The direct answer to whether this action reduces internet speed is yes, it typically does. Understanding the physics of the coaxial line. Beyond just speed, splitters can introduce signal loss, a key factor in understanding how they affect internet connectivity. For splitters, the amount. A fiber optic splitter is a passive optical component that divides a single incoming optical signal into two or more outgoing signals, or combines multiple incoming signals into one. One significant problem is signal loss. This is particularly useful in homes or offices where there are more devices than available Ethernet ports on the router.