Fiber vs Cable Internet

Choosing the right Internet connection for your business can make a difference in customer satisfaction, productivity and overall operations. In a world where things move fast, you’ll want a business Internet and WiFi solution that can keep up. When selecting a business Internet service, there are a number of factors to consider—aside from how much it costs. The two most popular choices for business are fiber and cable Internet; here’s what you need to know when comparing them.

Cable Internet, also known as broadband Internet, uses the same coax lines to deliver both cable TV and Internet connections. Since cable lines can be found almost everywhere, most businesses can easily get a standard Internet connection set up by contacting a service provider.

Fiber Internet uses small, flexible strands of glass to transmit information as light. To receive this type of connection at your business, a fiber cable must be installed. While not every location is equipped for a fiber connection, if it’s available in your area, you can choose to have a fiber cable installed.

With cable Internet, you’ll share a connection with other businesses. Depending on where you’re located, this may cause some lag during peak Internet hours. However, you’ll still receive reliable business-grade speeds. Standard Internet is ideal for small businesses with up to 20 simultaneous users who require a connection for simple tasks, like sending emails, video conferencing and downloading files.

With a fiber connection, a dedicated line means you’re able to bypass Internet traffic, offering consistent and reliable, business-grade speeds. This is ideal for larger businesses in need of high-speed bandwidth to support multiple users and devices. For enterprise level businesses, Dedicated Internet Access can support even more users with faster speeds.

In general, standard business Internet connections offer asymmetrical speeds ranging from 50 to 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbps), which is sufficient for most small businesses.

Fiber optic Internet speed is symmetrical, giving you equally fast upload and download speeds up to 2 Gbps. This is important for larger business requiring enhanced bandwidth for advanced voice services, cloud-based processing and livestreaming. While this is convenient for large businesses with more than 30 users, fiber internet has a higher cost than cable internet and isn’t as easily available due to the cable needed to run the connection.

Even though a standard Internet connection is shared, you can protect your network from cyberthreats, such as phishing, viruses and malware, with the right security tools in place. Business-grade security options like Cox Business Essential Security help protect your business against various cyberthreats, while providing network and device protection, as well as file backup and recovery.

With a fiber optic connection, you’ll get the added peace of mind that comes with a private connection, which is harder for hackers to infiltrate.

Business Internet plans allow for customization as your business grows and your demands change. With fiber Internet, you get customized network designs to maintain business continuity, so you can add bandwidth as your demands grow.

Standard business Internet costs will vary depending on your plan and location, but you can expect to pay less than fiber due to its wide availability and simple installation. Fiber Internet is more expensive. The cost of installation depends on the construction of your business and if a fiber cable is already available in your area.

Cable Internet can be professionally installed by calling your service provider. If you’re wondering how to get fiber Internet, a site survey may need to be conducted in order to run the cable.

When it comes to business Internet, the biggest differences are speed and reliability. The best choice for your company depends on how you’ll use your connection. Growing small businesses with large demands may benefit from a fiber Internet connection due to its reliability, fast speeds and security resources required to protect your business from costly data breeches. Not to mention, you can customize your Internet plan as your business grows. Other benefits include:

Help your business succeed from virtually anywhere, by using fiber Internet to mobilize your remote employees. Fiber Internet delivers a symmetric Internet connection that allows for compatible upload and download speeds, which is a critical component for a seamless operation. Along with managed cloud services, a fast upload speed is key to allowing your remote employees to access your location’s systems with ease.

Whether hosting an in-person or virtual event, reliable fiber Internet will help connect attendees through a strong reliable connection using symmetrical upload speeds. Temporary WiFi services are also available, allowing you to customize the plan for your event.

Help your business operate with ease, while giving your employees and customers the flexibility to work successfully both indoors and outdoors, with a strong WiFi connection. Learn more about Outdoor WiFi.

How much upload speed you’ll need for video conferencing will depend on a few factors. Impacts on bandwidth depend on whether you’re using a wired or wireless connection, as well as outside factors, like how many devices are connected to your network, router placement and internet rush hour. This means you may need more bandwidth than the minimum requirement in order to receive the best quality experience. If your calls are constantly freezing or the quality is poor, it’s a good idea to upgrade your internet plan.