Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet?

• Yes. Fiber Internet uses fiber-optic cables that transmit data as pulses of light over tiny strands of glass or plastic at speeds that are nearly the speed of light.
• Cable Internet transmits data as electrical signals over copper cable, which is far slower than fiber Internet.
   

As fiber-based high-speed Internet services become more prevalent throughout the United States, IT administrators in businesses and enterprises frequently ask the same question: “Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet, and what other benefits does fiber Internet offer over cable?”

Here’s a short primer on “Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet?” and a brief discussion of the advantages that fiber Internet provides.

Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet?

Yes. Fiber Internet access is delivered over fiber-optic cables that transmit data as pulses of light via tiny strands of glass or plastic at speeds approaching the speed of light, far faster than cable Internet, which transmits data as electrical signals over copper cable.

Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet over long distances?

Fiber Internet signals can travel great distances without losing data quality. The copper cables of cable Internet can only transmit information at distances of less than 10,000 feet due to power loss, while fiber Internet cables transmit data to nearly 25 miles without attenuation.

Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet for both uploads and downloads?

Cable Internet providers typically offer download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, but upload speeds are much slower. And while some fiber Internet providers also feature uploads that are slower than downloads, superior providers offer symmetric fiber-optic cable speed where upload and download speed is the same.

Is fiber Internet faster than cable Internet in adverse conditions?

Cable Internet speed and availability may be affected by a number of adverse conditions. Temperature fluctuations, weather conditions, fire hazards, electromagnetic interference and power outages can all cause cable Internet service to slow or to be interrupted.

Fiber Internet, on the other hand, is unaffected by powerful electrical equipment and electromagnetic interference. Fiber cables are far less susceptible to adverse weather conditions, fire or temperature changes. And because fiber cables are much stronger than copper cables, they are also less likely to break.

Is Spectrum Enterprise fiber Internet faster than cable Internet?

Spectrum Enterprise offers fiber gigabit Internet service with speeds that can scale to 100 Gbps, with uploads that are as fast as downloads. Dedicated Internet access ensures reliable bandwidth at any time of day. And powerful SLAs provide guaranteed availability by covering the entire network and connection to on-premises equipment.