Fiber vs. Cable:
Which is better?

Maybe your niece is bragging about how much faster gaming is with fiber-optic internet. Maybe your own network chokes and lags when you try to send big files or stream the U.S. Open for your patrons. Or maybe your competitor always seems to be a step ahead of you, fast and ready with the latest digital offerings to delight their customers.

Chances are that you already rely on the internet for your daily operations. And you probably like to stay on top of new technologies that can help grow your business. So already, fiber-optic internet sounds like a good thing.

But how do you know it’s better than the cable internet you already have? How do you know if it makes sense to switch? Let’s break it down.

Transmitted with flashes of light through strands of glass, fiber-optic internet is the most advanced broadband technology available. Because data can travel faster across greater distances with glass than with cable, the connection speed is much faster with a 100% fiber-optic network. That means fiber is able to handle a range of services such as bundled internet, telephone and television services, among others. That also means that it’s particularly well-suited to support emerging technologies like Augmented Reality.

With Verizon, fiber internet speeds begin at approximately 75 Mbps. That speed is likely best for businesses with one to four users who may require large file-sharing capacity and need moderate download speeds. At the top end, download speeds reach 940 Mbps. That’s good for businesses needing fast uploads and downloads and extra bandwidth for the whole office.

The nice thing with fiber is that businesses can start at the lower, easily affordable range and upgrade when more bandwidth is needed.

How much you’ll need depends on a number of considerations. These include how many devices you use and how many people connect to the internet throughout the day. They also include things like whether you share large files, access multiple cloud-based applications, or need fast streaming for video conferencing and high-definition video.

With cable, data is transferred via coaxial television cable, which is made of copper, aluminum and plastic and is designed to conduct electricity. This copper wiring is more susceptible to environmental conditions—like storms or electrical interference—than fiber-optic technology. That makes fiber a more reliable option.

Download and upload speeds with cable are typically slower than with fiber, varying from 10 to 500 Mbps and 5 to 50 Mbps, respectively.

Because they know that paperless, digital dentistry is more efficient and more precise, the team at family-oriented dental practice The Dental Family aims to be fully digital. They rely on Verizon for a bundled set of services. These include fiber-optic internet, television, and phone and wireless services.

Doing so helps them provide the friendly, modern and reliable dental services they’ve become known for. Even better, it supports their continued growth. Like when they needed to triple their internet speed. And when they opened a second location.

With Verizon fiber, uploading multigigabyte digital X-ray scans to their milling unit happens quickly. That translates to improved workflow for The Dental Family. Today, dental crowns can be fabricated for patients in just a couple of hours, a process that used to take days or weeks.

Optical fiber already has a strong reputation for being incredibly reliable.

Some providers use active optical networks to transmit fiber to customers. Verizon uses passive optical networks, which rely on light waves and are capable of delivering high volumes of upstream and downstream bandwidth that can be changed to suit the user's needs. That means fewer moving and electrical parts—and less chance of things going wrong. That's the kind of dependability you can build your business on.

For the staff at Antojos Ticos, the reliability they get with Verizon fiber is what it takes to serve up their passion for Costa Rican cuisine every day.

Antojos Ticos does everything online. They take orders from GrubHub®. They use their tablets to take orders at the table and transmit them to the kitchen. They even take payment and research new recipes and spices online. Between their multiple phone lines, streaming television and free Wi-Fi for customers, their network could easily get bogged down. But with bundled fiber-optic services from Verizon, they’re ready and able to tackle it all.

Dollar for dollar, the productivity gains that are achievable with fiber-optic internet make it the logical choice over cable for many small businesses. Bundling services makes fiber internet even more affordable. Plus, our flexible, scalable options mean you can modify your service as your needs change. Finding seasonal or limited-time offers designed to help you make the decision to switch from cable can make a nice impact on your spend as well.

Businesses in buildings already wired for fiber optics may also find additional value from easy start-up and installation options.

While fiber can be more expensive in some areas, the value that comes from faster speeds and greater reliability can help make it easier to get work done. Combined, these capabilities can also strengthen your ability to compete.

Self-service dog spa and grooming salon Laundromutt turns flexible self-service and in-depth one-on-one attention into high value for its customers. Verizon fiber is there each day, helping the company thrive in a highly competitive industry.

Now that they’ve switched to Verizon, all seven employees can use the network, all at the same time. Even when they’re on their feet providing service or taking phone calls. Even when they’re working from wherever they happen to be.

That means they can quickly upload snaps of each perfectly groomed pup and share information on their recently expanded doggie daycare offerings. They can even check in on and support their customers from home. Best of all, setup was easy. Verizon came in and took care of everything.

Bottom line, when considering cable or fiber: Businesses that rely on the internet to serve their customers can consider fiber a strong choice.

Businesses like yours put their trust in Verizon because of our proven ability to deliver fast, reliable and affordable fiber-optic technology.

Isn’t it time you put your business in line for growth, and get ready to face the competition with the best digital offerings you can provide?

See how Verizon fiber is supporting growing businesses and find out more about the bundled options available with Verizon.