(866) 996-2797Cable vs. Fiber Internet: Which One to Choose?
Jump to:
Are you seeking fast and reliable internet? Both cable and fiber are great options, so choosing your winner may require certain considerations.
If you’re using wireless internet or DSL, switching to either would be a substantial upgrade. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of ditching cable for fiber or vice versa, get the facts straight before you pull the trigger.
Cable and fiber are two leading broadband internet technologies right now, so let’s see what sets them apart…
Understanding Cable Internet
We’ll start with the good old cable that breathed new life into the internet during the early 2000s. Today, in the US have access to high-speed cable internet, making it an incredibly convenient choice.
What is Cable Internet?
Cable internet utilizes a cable television infrastructure. The internet is delivered to your home or office via coaxial cables – the same as the copper-based cable connected to your TV.
Cable internet providers typically offer bundling with TV services, given the identical mode of transmission. Standard phone line wiring is different, but coaxial cables are applicable; hence, most broadband bundles also include voice services.
How does Cable Internet Work?
The provider's Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) sends out electric signals
→
The data signals reach your neighborhood via aerial or underground coaxial cables
→
The coaxial cable entering your home is linked to a modem
→
The modem connects to your router using an ethernet cable
→
The router enables internet access on your devices via Wi-Fi and ethernet
Pros and Cons of Cable Internet
![pros]()
Pros
Pros- Widespread availability
- Fast & Reliable
- Affordable
- Durable infrastructure
- Bundling options (Cable TV & Phone)
- Easy to install (most of the time)
![cons]()
Cons
Cons- Slow upload speeds
- Shared bandwidth
- Prone to latency issues
All About Fiber Internet
So you heard fiber-optic is the most advanced internet technology right now? That’s about right, except do you need it? Fiber internet gained popularity by the late 2000s and is now accessible to nearly 55% of households across the US.
What is Fiber Internet?
Fiber internet (also known as fiber-optic) runs through a cable comprising thin glass/plastic strands or optical fibers. These fibers maximize bandwidth and minimize interference.
Data passing through fiber cables take the form of light signals that travel at high speeds (close to the speed of light), and that’s how you get the fastest internet.
FUN FACT: An optical fiber is about as thick as a strand of human hair. How amazing is that?
How does Fiber Internet Work?
Electric data signals are converted to light signals at the provider's base
→
Light signals reach your home or neighborhood via aerial or underground fiber cables
→
The fiber cable entering your home is connected to an optical network terminal (ONT) device
→
The ONT device converts light signals back to electric signals and feeds them to your router
→
The router enables internet access on your devices via Wi-Fi and ethernet
Types of Fiber Connections
1. FTTH/FTTP (Fiber to the Home or Premises) – The fiber-optic cable comes straight to your home, enabling the fastest internet.
2. FTTC (Fiber to the Curb) – The fiber-optic cable comes to the nearest utility post. The wire from the post to your house is a coaxial cable.
3. FTTN (Fiber to the Node or Neighborhood) – The fiber optic cable comes within a mile of your home. The longer route makes it the least effective of all options.
Pros and Cons of Fiber Internet
![pros]()
Pros
- Highest speeds
- Maximum bandwidth
- Symmetrical download and upload speeds
- Lowest latency (compared to other connection types)
- Enhanced network security
- Easy to scale
![cons]()
Cons
- Limited availability (mostly restricted to big cities)
- Expensive
- Complex installation
- Fibers are not as resilient as copper
Top Cable Internet Providers
Up to 150 Mbps - Up to 1,200 Mbps (subject to availability)
$19.99 - $85.00* (varies by location)
*Taxes not included. Additional equipment fee may apply. Automatic payments and paperless billing required
*Everyday low price. No annual contract. See
*For 24 mos
**Price for Gig speed additional. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/support/internet/compliant-modems-charter-network. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
See for terms and conditions.
Top Fiber Internet Providers
^Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
*Eligible Autopay & Paperless Bill req’d. Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas.
See Broadband Facts: www.att.com/dapbbfacts
*Price includes a $5.00/mo. discount with AutoPay, option to disable at the next step. Prices may change after 12-month promo. Taxes & fees extra.
*For 12 months. Additional taxes, fees and other charges apply. Auto Pay and Paperless Billing included. Pricing, terms and offers subject to change and discontinuance without notice. Wired connection speeds. Wi-Fi speeds may vary. All services not available in all areas.
View Full Disclaimer.
Side by Side Comparison: Fiber vs. Cable Internet
![Speed]()
Speed
SpeedFiber Internet: offers symmetrical speeds – upload and download speeds are the same or almost equal.
Fiber-optic can deliver download and upload speeds up to 10,000 Mbps. Most residential plans offer up to 2000 Mbps.
Cable Internet: gives asymmetrical speeds; upload speeds are a tiny fraction of the download speeds.
Cable internet providers typically offer download speeds up to 1000 Mbps. Maximum upload speed is much lower.
![Latency]()
Latency
LatencyFiber Internet: has the lowest latency or ping – it would be zero under perfect conditions.
Average latency is up to 10 milliseconds (ms), depending on the distance covered by the light signals. Higher bandwidth ensures high speed and low latency.
Cable Internet: the typical latency range for cable internet lies between 5 – 40ms, which is favorable for all kinds of online activities.
Compared to fiber, it is more susceptible to high latency. This happens when there’s high traffic on the network and the bandwidth is thinned out.
![Availability]()
Availability
AvailabilityFiber Internet: the fiber network is limited to metropolitan areas, though it is gradually expanding to accommodate more residential zones.
Cable Internet: is widely available in most states. You are more likely to get a connection if you reside in a small town or rural region.
![Price]()
Price
PriceFiber Internet: average monthly charges for a fiber internet plan are $40 - $300. Installation charges and equipment costs are relatively high.
Cable Internet: average monthly charges for a cable internet plan are $20 - $120. Installation charges and equipment costs are lower.
![Equipment]()
Equipment
EquipmentFiber Internet: necessary equipment for a fiber network includes fiber-optic cables, an ONT device, a specialized router (for optimum performance), and ethernet cables.
Cable Internet: copper cables, a modem, and a traditional router along with ethernet cables are sufficient for a localized cable network.
![Future Enhancement]()
Future Enhancement
Future EnhancementFiber Internet: the fiber network is rapidly growing to make high-speed internet widely accessible and affordable.
Cable Internet: is spreading to rural and remote areas, so more households become eligible for a wired connection.
When to Choose Cable Internet over Fiber
You should choose cable internet over fiber when:
Your budget is tight or limited.
You do not or seldom engage in data-heavy activities like online gaming, video-conferencing, high-quality streaming, and transfer of large files.
You reside in a small to medium household.
You want decent yet cheap internet for individual or personal use.
You live in a small town or under-developed area where fiber internet is not accessible.
When to Choose Fiber Internet over Cable?
You should choose fiber internet over cable when:
You’re unsatisfied with your current cable internet provider.
You are willing to spend more on cutting-edge technology for a better user experience.
You want multi-gig speed and the lowest possible latency for hardcore gaming, 4K streaming, heavy file sharing, etc.
You want more bandwidth to prevent speed throttling during peak hours.
You work from home or run an online business that requires reliable internet 24/7.
You share your network with a large household.
You require high-speed internet across multiple devices used by different users simultaneously.
Which is Best for a Small Business?
Both cable and fiber internet are suitable for running a small business, though the latter is more likely to give you an edge over your competitors.
The best choice for you primarily depends upon the nature of your business, the number of people connecting to your network, as well as your budget.
We recommend fiber, as it allows high symmetrical speeds, more bandwidth, and consistent performance. If you can easily afford the initial cost (installation + equipment) and monthly charges, go for it!
Are you an Upcoming Entrepreneur?
Check out How to Choose an Internet Service Provider for Your New Business!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cable faster than Wi-Fi? ![faq arrow icon]()
Wired internet or “ethernet” is always faster than Wi-Fi.
Is fiber internet faster than 5G? ![faq arrow icon]()
Fiber has a stronger infrastructure which allows for faster internet with lower latency.
Can I get Wi-Fi without Fiber Internet? ![faq arrow icon]()
Yes, you can get Wi-Fi with any type of broadband connection through a Wi-Fi router.
Will 5G replace Fiber? ![faq arrow icon]()
Even though 5G can theoretically provide up to 20 Gbps speed, it is still new and underdeveloped. It will not replace fiber anytime soon.
Check for services and offers available in your area
