Cable vs. Fiber-Optic: Which High-Speed Internet Service Is Right for Your Business?

Internet providers are finding faster and more consistent ways of providing internet for businesses in the most rural to the most urban areas. Historically, cable internet has been the best we could offer and it still is the most consistent and the most available at the cheapest price points. 

Much like cable tv, cable internet can get glitchy with bad weather or the more isolated areas. This is why internet providers have started transitioning their cable plans out and replacing them with fiber plans. Fiber internet is connected through through a fiber optic cable that can transmit digital information over long distances. This comes at a more expensive price than cable though which is why many businesses still opt for cable. 

Bottom line: Cable and fiber are comparable in consistency but speed and price vary greatly. If you are going for fiber internet, we recommend Verizon and have written up a full review of all Verizon's internet offerings. For cable internet, we recommend AT&T (of which we also have a full review of all ATT&T's internet plans). Ultimately it is up to your budget and your download speed needs.

Cable internet connections are considered a reliable internet service. However, if your business is located in an area that frequently experiences cable outages or interruptions, you can expect your internet service to also be impacted. If your business must have internet to operate, it’s a good idea to have a backup internet access option available.

Fiber-optic networks are generally considered as reliable as cable. Fiber is considered a passive system, which means power does not need to be applied within the system network. So, during power outages, a fiber-optic network is less likely to be interrupted or go down. Also, because the conductor is glass, it does not generate electricity, so fiber is immune to interference that can be caused by nearby power lines or high-voltage electrical equipment. Plus, with fiber-optic, there is less chance of your computer sustaining lightening-related damage.

Cable has a reputation of being fast, but fiber internet speeds are amazingly fast and blow other high-speed internet options out of the water. Plus, fiber allows the user to send data over much greater distances while maintaining speed. Download fiber-optic speeds range from 150 Mbps up to 500 Mbps, and upload speeds range from 65 Mbps to 100 Mbps. These unmatched fiber-optic speeds allow every member of your team to download, upload, stream, and share files simultaneously without compromising performance. If you want to dig deeper into fiber internet plans, check out our take on the best fiber internet plans out there. 

The cost of cable internet varies depending on your location, and whether or not you choose to bundle televisions, internet, and phone services. Generally, cable internet is an affordable business solution that ranges from $25 to $100 per month.

Keep in mind that you’ll usually pay more for faster speeds, and you may be charged an installation fee.

Fiber-optic internet will probably cost your business more per month, but depending on how your business uses the internet, the speed could be worth it. Plans for Fiber usually start at about $100 per month but can exceed $300 per month, depending on where your business is located, the speed you want, and the length of your service contract (most providers will require a two-year commitment). You may have to pay an installation fee or activation fee, but some companies offer promotions that waive this fee.

• See cable providers in your area
• See fiber providers in your area

Every business owner is looking for the fastest, most reliable high-speed internet option at a budget-friendly price.  If available in the area, we recommend small businesses choose fiber internet vs. cable. When you consider your options, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. In addition to making note of download and upload speeds, ask about possible installation fees and thoroughly read over the service contract.

We looked at pricing, reliability, availability and speed to determine the best options in both fiber and cable internet while also explaining the differences between both. 

Disclaimer

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.