Fiber vs Cable Internet: Which is Faster & More Reliable?

January 21st, 2025

In today’s fast-paced world, having a reliable, high-speed internet connection is essential. With so many options available, it can be challenging to decide which type of internet best suits your needs. Should you go for fiber optic or cable internet? Does your choice significantly impact your download and upload speeds?

In this article, we’ll compare fiber optic & cable internet, exploring their differences and which one offers superior speed and reliability.

A Brief Overview of Internet Connection Types

Most households have access to a variety of internet connection types, including:

• Dial-Up Internet: The oldest and slowest connection type. It uses phone lines, which ties up your phone during use and provides limited reliability and speed.

• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Like dial-up, DSL uses phone lines but doesn’t interfere with phone calls. It’s faster but still limited in speed compared to modern options.

• Cable Internet: This connection uses coaxial cables (the same as those for cable TV) to deliver internet service. It’s widely available and faster than DSL.

• Fiber Optic Internet: Fiber uses thin glass strands to transmit data via light, achieving incredible speeds and reliability unmatched by other connection types.

For those who need lightning-fast speeds & seamless streaming and gaming, DSL and dial-up are no longer viable options. That leaves cable and fiber optic internet as the primary contenders.

What’s the Difference Between Fiber and Cable Internet?

Fiber and cable internet differ in several key ways, making one a clear winner for most users.

1. Data Transmission Technology

Fiber optic cables transmit data using light signals through thin glass strands, allowing speeds at the speed of light (approximately 186,000 miles per second).

Cable internet, on the other hand, uses electrical signals transmitted through coaxial cables made of copper, aluminum, and plastic. This results in slower data transfer rates compared to fiber.

2. Availability

Cable internet is more widely available than fiber optic internet, as it relies on established infrastructure for cable TV. Fiber requires specialized cables, which are still being installed in many areas.

However, this is changing rapidly. Companies like Ezee Fiber are expanding fiber networks, bringing high-speed internet to more homes across the country. If fiber wasn’t previously an option in your area, it’s worth checking again.

3. Resilience

Cable internet is vulnerable to weather disruptions, such as storms and extreme temperatures, due to its reliance on electrical signals. Fiber optic cables are more durable and less susceptible to environmental factors, offering greater reliability even during adverse conditions. Ezee Fiber cables are buried deep underground, making them resistant to weather conditions or similar hazards, allowing our customers to have 99.99% reliability.

4. Latency

Latency measures the time it takes for data to travel between devices. Fiber optic internet offers significantly lower latency, making it ideal for online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming high-quality content. Cable internet typically has higher latency, which can cause delays and buffering during heavy usage.

Fiber Optic vs. Cable Internet Speeds

Speeds for both internet types can fluctuate depending on factors like network congestion, weather, and the number of connected devices.

• Cable Internet Speeds: Average download speeds range from 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps.

• Fiber Internet Speeds: Average speeds range from 250 Mbps to 8 Gbps.

Fiber also provides symmetrical speeds, meaning upload speeds match download speeds. This is a significant advantage for tasks like video conferencing, file uploads, or streaming.

With fiber internet, tasks like downloading a movie or uploading a large file are completed in seconds, compared to several minutes or longer with cable. Learn more about how fiber wins out vs alternative connections here.

Should You Choose Fiber or Cable Internet?

Fiber optic internet is the clear choice for most homeowners due to its superior speed, reliability, and lower latency. As fiber becomes increasingly available, it’s easier than ever to upgrade your home internet.

Ezee Fiber offers multi-gig fiber internet plans at competitive prices, with price guarantees for life—no hidden fees or unexpected hikes. If you’re ready for superior speed & reliable internet, learn more about Ezee Fiber’s plans today!