Is Fiber-optic Better Than Cable?

When customers call us, they often are confused about their options and one question they ask is, “Is Fiber-optic Better than Cable?” Here is a short overview to explain the difference.

Broadband is Shared Internet

With Broadband, aka Cable, bandwidth is shared over a cable modem within a building. The internet is shared bandwidth, which is over subscribed to multiple businesses within an area. This in result allows for bandwidth to be distributed across multiple businesses often causing a lull in internet speed for end users, particularly at peak usage during specific days or hours in a week.

There is no service level agreement available for broadband internet subscribers.

1. A service level agreement (SLA) is a contract between a service provider and the end user that defines the level of service expected from the service provider. SLAs are output-based in that their purpose is specifically to define what the customer will be receiving in regards to bandwidth speeds.
2. This means that with regards to internet speed if an end user paid for 50mgs Down and 50 mgs Up and is only receiving 30 mgs Down and 5 mgs Up after the contract was signed that it is not the responsibility of the carrier to ensure that these rates are at what was signed off on.

Fiber-optics are Dedicated

Fiber optical cables are used to transfer digital data signals in the form of light up to distances of hundreds of miles with higher throughput rates than those achievable via electrical communication cables. On top of that speed difference, privately owned fiber optic line is the end user’s private bandwidth. This means only person that can use the bandwidth is solely the end user.

For the end user, the difference between cable and fiber is the ability to control their own destiny when it comes to service and speeds.

Is fiber more expensive in comparison to broadband?

Yes, fiber can be more expensive than the broadband network and is definitely an investment. The upside is that once the fiber is installed and the first contract term is completed the contract negotiation for the second contract will be greatly reduced and no additional fiber lines needs to be installed.

Now that you have the answer to, is fiber-optic better than cable, give us a call to help you find the right vendor in your area.