# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

The article discusses the comparative advantages and disadvantages of copper and fiber optic data wiring systems. It highlights the initial cost challenge of deploying fiber optic networks and emphasizes factors like versatility and reliability in choosing a cabling system.

Review:

The choice between fiber and copper wire can all come down to initial cost, which when one gets over the cost of fiber cables, it is generally better and faster.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Advantages and Disadvantages of Copper vs. Fiber

Numerous studies have examined the advantages and disadvantages of copper and fiber data wiring. For example, one study in Mdantsane, South Africa published in the Journal on Innovation and Sustainability found the initial cost of deploying fiber optic networks was the biggest hurdle in choosing fiber cabling. Another study by Logeshwaran in the Journal on Communication Technology indicates some essential considerations in choosing the best network cabling system-first, versatility in accommodating data, voice, and video, second, compatibility with active equipment, third, ease of maintenance when updating the configuration, and 4) reliability during the entire service life of the system. In our research of the two cable network systems, most indicate the high cost of fiber as a prohibitive factor for implementation. However, a study by Jim Hayes published in the Electrical Contractor concluded that you should consider the cost of a 'complete network, not just its cabling costs' to determine its cost-effectiveness. When doing so, fiber cabling systems 'are comparable to those of Cat 6 copper cabling.' This article explores the pros and cons of fiber and copper and the virtues of using one cabling system over the other. Below are the pros and cons of the two wiring systems.

Top Pros and Cons for Copper vs. Fiber

Copper Wire Pros

Cost-effective

Copper wire is less expensive, making it more economical for small businesses or home networks.

Availability

Copper wire is reliably available from local retailers, making it a popular choice for network applications.

Compatibility

Copper wire is compatible with most existing infrastructures, providing an easy upgrade for outdated networks.

Durability

Copper wire is durable and a reliable option for outdoor applications.

Copper Wire Cons

Limited bandwidth

Copper wire has a restricted bandwidth, which is unsuitable for transmitting large amounts of data over long distances.

Electromagnetic interference

Copper wire is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which can cause data loss or corruption.

Signal degradation

Copper wire can experience signal degradation over long distances, which can cause data loss or errors.

Limited transmission distance

Copper wire has a short transmission distance, often less than 300 feet, which is unsuitable for long-distance data transmission.

Fiber Optic Pros

High bandwidth

Fiber optic cables possess an elevated bandwidth over copper wire, making them desirable for transmitting large amounts of data over long distances.

Immune to interference

Fiber optic cables are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them more reliable in noisy environments.

High signal quality

Fiber optic cables provide high-quality signal transmission, reducing the risk of data loss or errors.

Distance transmissions

Fiber optic cables transmit data over long distances without signal degradation, making them superior for long-distance transmissions.

Fiber Optic Cons

Cost

Fiber optic cables are generally more expensive than copper wire, making them a less economical choice for small businesses or home networks.

Specialized installation

Fiber optic cables require specialized installation and handling, which can increase installation costs.

Availability

Fiber wiring, connections, and network equipment are more difficult to obtain, are often out of stock, and are often prioritized for large bulk orders.

Compatibility

Fiber optic cables are incompatible with existing copper wire infrastructure, making them a more difficult upgrade for older networks.

Top Selection Considerations for Network Cabling

Copper Cabling Top Selection Considerations

Cheaper

Slow transmission speed

Heavier and thicker

More difficult to install

The most common type of cabling

More widely available

Easier to cut and spliced

Susceptible to interference from EMI

Signal loss

Distortion

Disruptions

Limited bandwidth

Easily subject to becoming outdated b/c of technological advances

Lower installation price currently

Tensile strength of 25 pounds

Copper is subject to corrosion, degrades with age, and may need replacement in as little as 5 years

Weight per 1000 ft = 39 lbs

Loses 90% of its transmission signal at 100 meters

Low security, easily tapped

Higher maintenance, interference, risk of tampering, and replacement cost

Fiber Optic Cabling Top Selection Considerations

Faster transmission speed

Longer distances

More reliable

Most durable 50 years

Thinner and more lightweight

Weight per 1000 ft = 4 lbs

Higher security

Tensile strength of 200 pounds

Not affected by EMI (electric motors, power lines, and microwaves

Less susceptible to signal loss, distortion, or disruption

Less likely to become outdated b/c of technology

More likely to meet the heavy demands of growing businesses

May be a lower cost option for the long run

Loses only 3% of its transmission signal per 100 meters

Better for supporting a LAN

Higher upfront price

High security (does not carry electrical signals)

Easily submerged in water

The chart below compares the 14 most important differences between copper and fiber wiring. Fiber has the advantage in all comparisons regarding performance. Copper has the edge with lower cost, accessibility, and compatibility with existing networking systems in many established business enterprises. However, the high price for improved technology can often outweigh the advantages of increased performance. For high-tech companies with high bandwidth requirements, performance is a necessity.

Comparison Chart Copper vs. Fiber Optic Cables

Fiber optic cables offer superior performance compared to copper cables, especially over long distances. They provide higher data transmission rates, larger bandwidths and are immune to electromagnetic interference. Copper cables, however, are still widely used for short-distance networking since they are less expensive. In addition, network devices that require more bandwidth, higher speeds, and more reliable internet connectivity, such as security cameras, digital signage, and VoIP phone systems, make fiber optic cable the obvious choice for those who provide telecommunications and internet. To determine the best option for your business, it is best to have a Low Voltage Cabling Expert to visit your office and assess your specific networking needs. Call Les Olson IT at 801-922-5060 to schedule a free network analysis.

Footnotes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Copper Vs. Fiber Optic Cabling - Pros and Cons for 2024

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Copper or Fiber Optic Cables - Pros and Cons by Barry Preusz. Choose between performance or low cost, compatibility, and accessibility.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

The advantages of fiber optic cable is that the wire can have multiple cores per wire, which means that multiple signals can be transmitted using only one cable. Also, interference between cables is little to none, because fiber optic cables transmit light.

Reflection:

From this video, a conclusion that can be made is that fiber optic cable is very useful when communicating between different subnetworks, or even different ethernet switches or routers. Fiber cable is also more efficient in transmitting data, causing zero to know loss.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Advantages of Fibre Optic Cable  (Fiber Optic Cable)

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: This article discusses the differences between copper and fiber optic cables, helping readers understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option for various applications.

Reflection:

The article could provide valuable insights for individuals or businesses grappling with the decision of which type of cable to use for their networking needs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When installing the network cable, which one do you prefer - copper cable or fiber optic cable? Let's break it down and make it simple...

Both copper and what is essentially glass, or fiber optics, have their advantages and unique characteristics. Copper has already existed in many places and it is cheap in network devices connection. However, with the dramatic reduction of cost of optical deployment, the future-proof fiber optic cable shows more advantages over copper and has a better prospect in the future market.
We are presenting five reasons for the choice in fiber rather than copper cable from cost, bandwidth, transmission speed and distance, durability and security.
A few years ago, the overall price of fiber cable was nearly twice that of copper, but now the price between fiber and copper has narrowed and fiber components and hardware have steadily decreased.

Let's start with the general premise that electrical power transmission over copper is cheaper than laser power transmission over fiber - because it has been up until this point - though this is changing fast. Most people overlook the cost of the wiring closet in copper networks - and they shouldn't. Let's not forget, a standard wiring closet includes the costs of conditioned UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source) power, data ground, HAVC (Hybrid Automatic Voltage Control) and floor space.

These integral costs generally exceed the extra cost of fiber equipment in a centralized fiber architecture, as well as take up significantly more working space (which is often limited). So, an all-fiber LAN (Local Area Network) is really more economical and space-efficient than a copper-based networking environment for new construction and major renovations.

Although copper is perfectly adequate for a voice signal, it has very limited bandwidth - while fiber provides standardized performance up to 10 Gbps and beyond.

Fiber links provide over 1,000 times as much bandwidth as copper and can travel more than 100 times further as well. A typical bandwidth-distance product for multi-mode fiber is 500 MHz/km, so a 500 meter cable can transmit 1 GHz. While twisted pair optimized for high data rates (Cat 6) can transmit 500 MHz over only 100 meters. In addition, the signal loss over 500 meters in fiber is negligible, but copper has very high loss at high frequencies.

3. Transmission Speed and Distance

Fiber optic versus copper transmission can be viewed as the speed of photons versus the speed of electrons. Photons travel at the speed of light, whereas electrons used in copper travels at less than one percent of the speed of light. Although fiber optic cables do not reach the speed of light, they are only about 31% slower. So you can see that there is a huge inherent speed difference between fiber and copper. In addition, fiber does not have the 100 meter distance limitation which is inherent in unshielded twisted pair copper without a booster. Therefore, distance can range from 550 meters for 10 Gbps multi-mode and up to 40 kilometers for single-mode cable.

Fiber optic cable is much less susceptible to various environmental factors than copper cable. For example, copper will experience a great deal of degradation in quality over a distance of two kilometers, using fiber optic cable over the same distance can provide extremely reliable data transmission. What's more, fiber is also immune to several environmental factors such as temperature and electro-magnetic fluctuations - copper cannot say the same - you can deploy fiber cable next to industrial equipment without worry. Also, like the transatlantic cable connecting the U.S. with Europe and beyond, fiber can be submerged in water.

Since optical fiber does not transmit electricity, it does not radiate signals and cannot be tapped - copper does use electricity and is susceptible to be tapped, which can cause the entire system to fail. A broken or damaged optical fiber can be detected extremely quickly by using a number of monitoring techniques including monitoring the actual power transmission or the transmission of a pilot signal. On the other hand, copper cable carrying a current can short-out completely or even cause a fire if it is damaged, old or worn without such efficient monitoring techniques.

Conclusion - and the winner is... ?

The advent of optical cable with its ever-reducing cost, increased bandwidth, extremely high speed and long transmission distance, excellent reliability and perfect security, has replaced copper in every aspect of network transmission and reception. Fiber optic cable has become one of the most popular mediums for both innovative cabling installations and upgrades, including backbone, horizontal, and even desktop applications. And with the steadily lowering cost and intrinsic improvements made seeminly daily in fiber optic connectivity, fiber construction will become more convenient and cost-effective. It's only a matter of time before fiber optics completely replaces copper cable in both long and short-haul networking.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Copper vs. Fiber - Which to Choose? | Multicom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When installing the network cable, which one do you prefer - copper cable or fiber optic cable? Let's break it down and make it simple... Today we Make our Case for Fiber Optics Both copper and what is essentially glass, ...

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

The video compares copper cable and fiber optic cable, highlighting the limitations of copper cable. On the other side, fiber optic cables offer faster speeds, lower latency, and greater security, making them a better choice for businesses and individuals requiring fast and reliable internet connectivity.

Reflection:

From this video, we can come to the conclusion that copper cabling has its advantages over fiber optic cable such as cost and durability, but when it comes to raw transmission speeds, fiber takes the cake.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is the difference between copper cable and fibre optic cable - Which Should You Choose?

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

The article stresses the importance of understanding bandwidth's impact on small business productivity and sales, especially with increasing reliance on internet-dependent operations.

Reflection:

it's clear that selecting the right internet connection involves evaluating factors such as bandwidth needs, infrastructure availability, and geographic location.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ed Lieber is a staff writer for Small Business Trends. He is a journalist and marketing copywriter with 20 years of experience writing, editing and managing for print and digital vehicles.
Bandwidth, the speed at which you gain Internet access, is not something small business owners probably put much thought into. And that is a mindset worth changing.

The Internet now plays a substantial role in business, probably to the extent that we take it for granted.

Consider, for example, how extensively used a data-heavy function like video conferencing is, how often we access cloud-based apps, stream videos or download large files from a website. Your bandwidth is taxed for any of those high-demand activities. One video service recommends that you need 5.0 megabits per second, just to stream an HD video.

If multiple users on your network are streaming multiple videos, uploading large files or doing other high-demand tasks concurrently, the needs multiply. If you only have limited bandwidth such as a 20 megabit per second speed, you can see how quickly a few heavy demands on your Internet access can eat up your access and slow everything and everyone down.

Still, businesses tend to use the same Internet connection for years, blithely oblivious to the speed of technology's progress. Bandwidth problems can slow down your company's productivity, waste your employees' time and result in lost sales.

Before you can figure out how to ensure your operation is Internet optimized, you first need to know what you're dealing with. Consider this a primer regarding the three basic materials we use to connect to the Internet:

These three mediums for Internet connections are available today in the marketplace. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.
Copper Has Dominance
Since the telephone's advent over 100 years ago, the dominant way to "wire" the home involved the use of copper cabling. The copper phone wire is perfectly adequate for a voice signal, which is what it was intended for. All things considered, however, it offers very limited bandwidth. Still, so many are familiar with copper that they doubted any other medium would ever supplant it.

Until fiber optics came along.

Fiber optics refers to technology that transmits data through thin strands of a highly transparent material that usually is either glass or plastic. Fiber optic communications were launched in the 1970s, though the first fiber optic telecommunications networks were not installed until the early 1980s.

By the mid-1980s, fiber's bandwidth and distance capabilities made it significantly less expensive than other communication mediums, so it has replaced them.

In the mid-1990s, cable television discovered fiber could enhance performance reliability, as well as enable the offering of both phone and Internet service on the same fiber.
Fiber Optics or Copper Cables?
Assessing which type of network cable is optimal for a particular company requires consideration of several factors.

Copper does offer advantages for those in rural areas. It already exists (it has been used, as noted, to wire telephones, so copper already found its place in the household) and is less expensive when used to connect network devices. Those in rural areas where no fiber optics have been run may find copper the most cost effective, because they don't have to pay to run new cabling.

Still, fiber optic cable offers many advantages over copper:

Fiber optic transmission is faster: Fiber optic versus copper wire transmission can be boiled down to the speed of photons versus the speed of electrons. Photons travel at the speed of light, whereas electrons (as used in copper wire) occurring in nature travel at less than one percent of the speed of light. And while fiber optic cables don't travel at the speed of light, they come very close - only about 31 percent slower. So as you can see, there's a huge inherent speed difference.

Fiber optic transmission results in less attenuation: When traveling over a long distance, fiber optic cables experience less signal loss than copper cabling, known as low attenuation. One source estimates that fiber loses only three percent signal strength going over 100 meters (approximately 320 feet) in distance. By contrast, copper loses 94 percent over the same distance. Repeaters or boosters can improve those rates, but in its native state, fiber beats out copper when it comes to avoiding signal loss.

Fiber optic cables are impervious to electromagnetic interference: Copper wires, if not properly installed, will produce electromagnetic currents that can interfere with other wires and wreak havoc on a network. An added benefit of fiber optic cables is that they are not a fire hazard. (Fiber optic cables, unlike copper cables, do not conduct electricity.)

Fiber optic cables do not break as easily: This means that you will not have to worry about replacing them as frequently as copper wires.
Wireless versus Fiber Optics and Copper
While fiber optics seem to have the upper hand over copper, wireless broadband is gaining in popularity and usage.

Wireless broadband (or 4G, which stands for 4th generation wireless), a method of broadcasting an Internet connection over radio waves, is a broad term that represents many different technologies.

4G requires infrastructure to be built out so that coverage can reach remote areas, and it is becoming more widespread with each passing year. Think of 4G as the type of technology used by mobile phone carriers - except that it has faster speed, making it a more realistic choice for Internet access than older 3G mobile phone connections.
Wireless Has Potential to Remove Costs
When it comes to fiber optic or copper cables, expenses run the gamut from purchasing the cabling, getting permits signed, paying for work crews and insurance and remunerating the IT wizards who make the network function properly.

Wireless networks may alleviate much of this cost.

One of the biggest problems, however, is that wireless signals degrade with distance: the further away the user is from the broadcast station, the weaker the signal. Fiber optics can convey a clear signal much farther.

And there are still parts of the United States without wireless coverage or with spotty coverage, such as in rural areas. Without sufficient wireless towers to broadcast the signal throughout rural areas, wireless may not be a viable choice in remote areas. However, provided the 4G infrastructure reaches your area, it can be a good choice.

The two systems - fiber optic and wireless - can complement each other, with many communications systems using both fiber optics and wireless transmissions. Australia, for example, has proposed hooking up more than 90 percent of its population to a fiber optic network for Internet access, with rural Australians receiving wireless instead.

Cable companies provide fiber-optic service to a home's front door. But go inside and you'll see its owners using Wi-Fi for Internet connectivity. Businesses wire up their local area networks, but staffers use Blackberries or iPhones to manage email out on the road.

Considering the complexity involved with determining whether fiber optics or copper is better for your company, you may want to consider the pros and cons of outsourcing your IT network, for an expert opinion.

Outsourcing lets you focus on what your company does best. Keeping up with the technology required to run your business is expensive and time consuming. By outsourcing your IT networking, you can spend your limited time and money on items that are directly related to satisfying your customers, rather than on the underlying infrastructure.

As important as your network is, remember, it's still not your core business. To net it out:

For those in areas where fiber optic cable has been run already, such as urban and larger suburban areas, fiber seems like the choice for building for the future. Fiber offers speed and reliability, along with cost effectiveness.

For those in rural areas, copper-based connections may be the most cost effective and practical choice, because it's already in existence in most places.

And in places where 4G technology infrastructure has reached, wireless may provide a realistic option, especially as it becomes more prevalent and the technology improves.
This article was originally published on Small Business Trends.
Click on the button below to get access

Or sign in to access all content on Comcast Business Community

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Fiber, Copper, or Wireless: Which Connection Is Best for Your Company?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bandwidth, the speed at which you gain Internet access, is not something small business owners probably put much thought into.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

Fiber optic cables offer low power loss, reduced latency, and faster speeds. Fiber optic cables allow improved reliability, because of the low failure rates. This is because it uses laser generated light instead of electricity, so that the cables are more resistant to electrical interference.

Reflection:

This information can be used to figure out the types of wires for different jobs.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary

Fiber optic cables are made out of glass and plastic, and transfer data through pulses of light instead of electricity. Fiber optics are used for long-distance and high-performance data networking.

Reflection:

This article can be used for someone who is trying to get into the realm of networking, or someone who needs to refresh their knowledge on the topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By

What is fiber optics?

Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the technology that transmits information as light pulses along a glass or plastic fiber.

A fiber optic cable can contain a varying number of glass fibers, from a few up to a couple hundred. Another glass layer called cladding surrounds the glass fiber core. The buffer tube layer protects the cladding, and a jacket layer acts as the final protective layer for the individual strand.

Fiber optic cables are commonly used because of their advantages over copper cables. Some of those benefits include higher bandwidth and transmit speeds.

Fiber optics is used for long-distance and high-performance data networking. It is also commonly used in telecommunication services, such as internet, television and telephones. For example, Verizon and Google use fiber optics in their Verizon Fios and Google Fiber services, respectively, providing Gigabit internet speeds to users.

How fiber optics works

Fiber optics transmits data in the form of light particles, or photons, that pulse through a fiber optic cable. The glass fiber core and the cladding each have a different refractive index that bends incoming light at a certain angle.

When light signals are sent through the fiber optic cable, they reflect off the core and cladding in a series of zig-zag bounces, following a process called total internal reflection. The light signals do not travel at the speed of light because of the denser glass layers, instead traveling about 30% slower than the speed of light.

To renew, or boost, the signal throughout its journey, fiber optics transmission sometimes requires repeaters at distant intervals. These repeaters regenerate the optical signal by converting it to an electrical signal, processing that electrical signal and retransmitting the optical signal.

Fiber optic cables are now able to support up to 10 Gbps signals. Typically, as the bandwidth capacity of a fiber optic cable increases, the more expensive it becomes.

A closer look at a fiber optic cable.

Types of fiber optic cables

Multimode fiber and single-mode fiber are the two primary types of fiber optic cable.

Single-mode fiber

Single-mode fiber is used for longer distances due to the smaller diameter of the glass fiber core. This smaller diameter lessens the possibility for attenuation, which is a reduction in signal strength. The smaller opening isolates the light into a single beam, offering a more direct route and enabling the signal to travel a longer distance.

Single-mode fiber also has a considerably higher bandwidth than multimode fiber. The light source used for single-mode fiber is typically a laser. Single-mode fiber is usually more expensive as it requires precise calculations to produce the laser light in a smaller opening.

Multimode fiber

Multimode fiber is used for shorter distances because the larger core opening lets light signals bounce and reflect more along the way. The larger diameter permits multiple light pulses to be sent through the cable at one time, which results in more data transmission. This also means more possibility for signal loss, reduction or interference. Multimode fiber optics typically uses an LED to create the light pulse.

Fiber optics vs. copper cables

Copper wire cables were the traditional choice for telecommunication, networking and cable connections for years. Over time, however, fiber optics became a common alternative. Most telephone company long-distance lines are now made of fiber optic cables.

Optical fiber carries more information than conventional copper wire due to its higher bandwidth and faster speeds. Because glass does not conduct electricity, fiber optics is not subject to electromagnetic interference, which minimizes signal losses.

Dense wavelength-division multiplexing is used to increase the bandwidth of existing fiber networks.

Advantages and disadvantages of fiber optics

Fiber optic cables are used mainly for their advantages over copper cables. Advantages include the following:

They support higher bandwidth capacities.

Light can travel further without needing as much of a signal boost.

They are less susceptible to interference, such as electromagnetic interference.

They can be submerged in water.

Fiber optic cables are stronger, thinner and lighter than copper wire cables.

They do not need to be maintained or replaced as frequently.

However, it is important to note that fiber optics do have disadvantages. These disadvantages include the following:

Fiber optics is often more expensive than copper wire.

Glass fiber requires more protection within an outer cable than copper.

Installing new cabling is labor intensive.

Fiber optic cables are often more fragile. For example, the fibers can be broken, or a signal can be lost if the cable is bent or curved around a radius of a few centimeters.

Fiber optics uses

A range of industries use fiber optic cables for reliable and fast connectivity.

Computer networking and broadcasting

Computer networking is a common fiber optics use case due to optical fiber's ability to transmit data and provide high bandwidth. Similarly, fiber optics is frequently used in broadcasting and electronics to provide better connections and performance.

Internet and cable television

Internet and cable television are two of the more common use cases for fiber optics. Fiber optics can be installed to support long-distance connections between computer networks in different locations.

Undersea environments

Fiber optic cables are used in more at-risk environments, like undersea cables, as they can be submerged in water and don't need to be frequently replaced.

Military and space

Military and space industries also make use of optical fiber as a means of communication and signal transfer in addition to its ability to provide temperature sensing. Fiber optic cables can be beneficial due to their lighter weight and smaller size.

Medical

Fiber optics is frequently used in a variety of medical instruments to provide precise illumination. It also increasingly enables biomedical sensors that aid in minimally invasive medical procedures. Because optical fiber is not subject to electromagnetic interference, it is ideal for various tests like MRI scans. Other medical applications for fiber optics include X-ray imaging, endoscopy, light therapy and surgical microscopy.
Editor's note: This definition was updated to improve the reader experience.

Continue Reading About fiber optics (optical fiber)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is Fiber Optics? Definition from SearchNetworking

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how fiber optics works and why fiber is a common alternative to copper cabling. Also explore the advantages and disadvantages of optical fiber.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:

This post asks the question if bandwidth alone is enough to declare fiber optic cable as the superior cable. It describes what bandwidth is and how it can help businesses. The post also describes that bandwidth alone is not enough to make a faster network.

Reflection:

While fiber optic cable has better raw bandwidth, other factors such as speed, reliability, and cost impact the decision to purchase fiber optic cable.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Fiber vs. Copper: Is there a significant difference between the amount of bandwidth offered by fiber Internet and copper high-speed Internet? Should you base your business Internet decision on bandwidth alone?

To make an informed decision about business Internet service, you need to know the differences between fiber connectivity and copper. This includes how much bandwidth each option provides, and how it will serve your businesses' need for data in the present and future.

Demand for bandwidth has doubled every 18 months since the inception of data services, and this growth shows no signs of slowing. It's imperative that whatever type of data connectivity you choose can grow along with your business's technology and traffic.

In this post, you'll discover whether fiber or copper is the winning choice for your business and how to future-proof your bandwidth.

Fiber vs. Copper: Which Supplies More Bandwidth?

Bandwidth is best defined as the maximum data transfer rate of data (usually Internet connectivity), or a network's capacity which is generally expressed in gigabits per second (Gbps) or megabits per second (Mbps).

The more bandwidth offered by your business Internet service , the more data you can transmit at one time.

Bandwidth is not the same as speed since bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data transfer per second-Internet speed is based on the actual rate of data transfer per second.

Bandwidth is effectively the amount of potential speed which can be used. However, a slow data connection and other connectivity issues such as packet loss and jitter, are frequently caused by insufficient bandwidth.

While bandwidth is critically important, it's not the only factor that impacts the quality of business Internet service. Speed, performance, and reliability can often be confused with bandwidth, and are likely equally important to business satisfaction with a data connection. Bandwidth is a significant difference between copper vs. fiber, but these technologies also provide different levels of reliability and costs for equipment required to transmit data.

The Differences Between Fiber and Copper

Here's a "quick and dirty" comparison of how fiber and copper stack up for speed, reach, reliability, cost, and other factors.

Underlying technologies cause the bandwidth gap between fiber and copper. Fiber Internet uses thin bundles of optical fibers, or strands of very pure glass as narrow as a human hair, to transmit data using pulses of infrared laser light.

Copper cables literally use copper wires and are a significantly bulkier technology that was first designed to carry voice calls data via electrical pulse.

Fiber technology providers, generally speaking, are more likely to offer "symmetrical bandwidth" to customers which equates to equal upload and download speeds. This capability can be found with copper high-speed Internet providers, though it's rare.

The bandwidth differences are, effectively, the difference between photons and electrons. Copper uses electrons for data transmission, while fiber uses photons.

Light travels faster than electrical pulses, so fiber can transmit more bits of data per second and offer higher bandwidth. The transmission capabilities aren't the only difference between these technologies, however.

All data signals degrade over a range, but fiber offers significantly better signal durability. Fiber only loses 3% of the signal over distances greater than 100 meters, compared to copper's 94% loss of signal.

Interference

Fiber optic bundles do not conduct electrical currents, making fiber data connections fully resistant to fire, electromagnetic interference, lightning, or radio signals.

Copper cables are designed to conduct electricity, making copper Internet vulnerable to power lines, lightning, and deliberate signal scrambling.

Copper cable can easily be broken during an installation or by accident. Despite its large size, copper has a low tolerance for tension.

Fiber is smaller, lighter, and more durable than copper cabling and can generally only be damaged through deliberate vandalism, though you do have to be careful with fiber as it is made out of glass. Typically, it's sheathed in a protective coat to make it more durable.

Having enough bandwidth is critical to modern business operations. If your data connection lacks bandwidth, you may struggle to use cloud applications or communicate with clients through voice-over-IP phones, web conferencing, or other forms of Unified Communications.

If you've reached the bandwidth limits of your existing Internet service, scaling your data connectivity to increase bandwidth is necessary to protect productivity and growth.

The cost of installing fiber Internet for the first time can vary widely for businesses, even in the same metro area. The primary factor that impacts the cost of a fiber installation is your proximity to fiber resources.

If your business is already lit for fiber, your setup will be much cheaper than a company that is located a significant distance from resources. Check to see if your building is wired for fiber here .

Upgrading to fiber is generally more expensive than staying with copper, but the total cost of a fiber installation can be deceptive. Fiber has a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than copper due to superior durability and a longer lifecycle. It may also lower costs for your business by increasing productivity and availability.

The availability and reliability of a data connection are closely tied to long-term "soft costs" of a system, reflected in productivity and client satisfaction. Fiber provides far more reliable data transmissions due to its resistance to interference, temperature fluctuations, and moisture.

With a vendor who offers up-time guarantees for enterprise data clients, your business could achieve superior continuity.

A network's latency is a measure of delay or the amount of time required to perform data transmission successfully.

Latency is closely related to how end users perceive a connection's speed, but it's not the same as bandwidth. Factors that can create lag on a high-bandwidth network include connection type, distance, and demand for an Internet service provider's (ISP's) resources.

Fiber offers much lower latency than copper. To safeguard against other latency risks, avoid the shared consumer-grade Internet connectivity provided by many high-speed copper vendors.

Your business may require some hardware and equipment upgrades to adjust your infrastructure for a fiber upgrade. This can increase the costs of fiber adoption beyond an initial installation.

While an expert assessment is the only reliable way to determine equipment compatibility, you could face a need to perform upgrades to routers or wiring.

Copper can be susceptible to many information security and business continuity risks. Copper lines can be tapped or easily damaged by vandals. Copper signals can be scrambled through deliberate interference.

Fiber doesn't radiate signals that can be tapped, cannot be scrambled, and is resistant to interference attempts.

If you're researching options for high-bandwidth Internet connectivity, you're likely frustrated by the performance of your existing network.

There's never been a better time to switch. Copper wires were, for a long time, the cornerstone of modern business communication. But Fiber and VoIP are far superior in the modern world. So superior that copper is being discontinued. To find out how it will affect your business, read this article.

You may be limited by your current data connection's bandwidth capabilities, or your issues could be related to other factors such as latency or congested resources. Bandwidth, speed, performance, and reliability should all play a role in determining the right Internet service for your organization.

Chances are, your business could significantly benefit from an upgrade to fiber. But where do you start? Access expert insight into everything you need to know about buying data connectivity for your business in 10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Fiber Connectivity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Fiber vs. Copper Showdown: Unraveling the Bandwidth Battle and Beyond for Business Internet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fiber vs. copper. Which is best for your business? Discover the differences between fiber and copper including bandwidth, reliability, and cost.