Coaxial Cable vs Fiber Optic: What’s the Difference?

Homeowners and businesses alike share the need for fast, reliable internet connection - but did you know there are different ways you can have your internet service delivered? Two of the most common are coaxial cable vs fiber optic cable. 

While each has its place you only need one - and you want to make sure you’re choosing the method that maximizes speed and reliability while staying within your budget. So what’s the difference between fiber optic and coaxial cable? 

Fiber optic cables transmit data via light signals through ultra-thin glass or plastic fibers. They deliver blazing speeds over long distances with minimal signal loss. 

Coaxial cables, on the other hand, carry electrical signals through copper wiring, providing reliable and cost-effective internet connections over shorter distances.

Learn more about where each has an edge and which is right for your unique application below. Better yet, get in touch with our customer service team here at AudioVideoElectric.com, and we’ll show you why our bulk coaxial cable and indoor fiber optic cable selection is the #1 choice!

What’s the Difference Between Fiber Optic and Coaxial Cable?

So what’s the difference between fiber optic and coaxial cable styles? The short answer is in how they transmit data. Each style uses different materials, and this leads to variances in performance, cost, and reliability.

Let’s take a closer look at the inner-workings of fiber optic cable vs coaxial cable below before comparing and contrasting them side by side.

Overview of Fiber Optic Cables

These cutting-edge data transmission cables use light signals to transmit data over long distances at lightning-fast speeds. They’re built with a core of thin glass or plastic fibers and are highly resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal degradation. 

Speed and capacity aren’t their only characteristics, though. Fiber optics transmit data over extended distances without much signal loss, which is especially important for commercial applications like data centers, high-demand networks, and large-scale telecommunications. 

While they tend to cost more to install and maintain than traditional options, you really can’t beat the long-term efficiency and minimal signal loss. They’re a prime choice for organizations that want to future-proof their data infrastructure and are willing to make the investment to do so.

Overview of Fiber Coaxial Cables

On the other end of the fiber optic cable vs coaxial cable comparison, this style is a more reliable, cost-effective option. Also referred to as coax for short, these cables are constructed with a copper core surrounded by insulation, shielding, and an outer jacket.

This unique structure reduces signal interference and maintains consistent transmission quality over short to moderate distances. So, what is coaxial cable used for?

While they won’t offer the same bandwidth as fiber optics, they work well for applications with lower data requirements, such as CCTV systems, commercial broadband connections, and cable television installations. 

Their affordability, durability, and easy installation make coax cables are more practical choice for businesses looking to balance performance with budget. 

Coaxial Cable vs Fiber Optic Cable: Which Style is Right For Your Company’s Needs?

You might already have a better understanding of which is right for you after reading through the differences between fiber optic and coaxial cable styles. If you’re still uncertain though, this side-by-side comparison of coaxial cable vs fiber optic cable should clear things up.

Speed

Speed of internet service delivery is of the utmost importance in industries like finance, healthcare, or IT, and you’ll see dramatic differences between fiber optic cable vs coaxial cable in this aspect.

Fiber optics send signals via light rather than electrical currents, leading to superior transmission abilities. They’re far faster than coax cables and our choice for data-intensive applications, such as video conferencing, cloud storage, and large-scale data transfers. 

That’s not to say you would never want to consider coax cables, though. They’ll work just fine for some commercial uses, such as basic internet, TV signals, and localized network setups. 

Cost

Of course, that speed comes with a cost - fiber optic cables tend to be much more expensive than their coaxial counterparts. While prices have come down over the years as technology caught up, installation and maintenance remain more complex, and thus, more expensive.

Coaxial cables provide a good balance of performance and affordability, most notably for smaller companies with lower data transfer needs. The costs of sourcing, installing, and maintaining these cables are all lower in comparison to fiber optics.

That being said, you should never make this decision based on budget alone. Always prioritize your transmission needs first. Think about the costs of having to replace cables should your needs scale up, too (we’ll touch on this in a moment).

Reliability

Part of why cost shouldn’t be considered in isolation is you typically get what you pay for - not just in speed, but reliability. The last thing you want is costly downtime because you cut corners on cables.

If your environment is notorious for high electromagnetic interference, you should stick with fiber optic cables over coaxial cables. They’re more dependable in maintaining signal quality over long distances without degradation.

However, more localized setups or short-distance installations will find coaxial cables offer reliable performance without the added expense of fiber. It all comes down to the specific setting you plan to install the cables in.

Regardless of whether you choose coaxial cable vs fiber optic, make sure you’re investing in premium cables from a trusted manufacturer, like AudioVideoElectric.com. We’ll introduce our Belden alternative cables in just a few minutes.

Scalability

Your needs today may not align with your needs 6 months from now, or a few years from now. It’s tough to make present-day decisions based on what the future could look like, but it’s imperative that you do so.

Fiber optic cables are highly scalable as they support large amounts of data and are capable of accommodating future technology upgrades with minimal need for replacement. If your company is focused on growth it’s worth paying more for this reason alone.

Coaxial cables can certainly be versatile, especially given all the different types of coaxial cable at your fingertips. But, they pale in comparison to fiber optics in this regard.

Latency

Latency is the delay that occurs during data transmission. Really all you need to know is that lower latency is ideal for applications in need of real-time data processing. That includes video streaming, voice communications, or automated systems.

So, which is better here between fiber optic cable vs coaxial cable? Again, there is a clear winner. Fiber optics offer considerably lower latency due to the speed of light transmission and minimal signal interference.

Coaxial cables will do the job for standard communications, but the higher latency (especially over extended distances) can be frustrating - and downright unfeasible - for businesses where real-time responsiveness matters.

So, is Fiber Optic Better Than Coaxial?

So, which is better: coaxial cable vs fiber optic? At this point, you should have a clear understanding of which style aligns with your needs. Here’s a brief summary:

• Choose fiber optic if speed, reliability, scalability, and low latency are essential, especially in data-heavy applications
• Choose coaxial if you have a strict budget and only need moderate speed and reliable signal.

Either way, we have the dependable, affordable, high-performance solutions you need here at AudioVideoElectric.com!

Discover the Best Fiber Optic and Coax Cable Selections Online at AudioVideoElectric.com!

We’re proud to present the premier selection of coaxial and fiber optic cables alike, and we even have an impressive multi-conductor cable collection. Across all these different technologies you’ll see a common theme: top-tier performance at an unbeatable price.

How do we do it? Our Belden equals are an exact match for the highly-sought after branded cables you may be more familiar with, but at a fraction of the price. You don’t have to take our word for it, either. We have spec sheets for each cable in our catalog so you can confirm.

Our customers have managed to achieve remarkable savings by sourcing their cables from us. One business cut $86,000 annually, another saved $30,000 each year, and another trimmed 65% from their expenses. See more customer success stories over on our website. 

Better yet, reach out today to start a dialogue on how our products can streamline your installations and save you money, all while offering peace of mind. Take the next step today!

Bringing Our Fiber Optic Cable vs Coaxial Cable Comparison to a Close

Hopefully this detailed comparison of coaxial cable vs fiber optic cable has left you with a clear understanding of where each has an edge and which is best for your specific needs. 

Fiber optic cables boast high-speed delivery across long-distance applications with low latency and scalability. They’re ideal for data-intensive industries and future-focused companies. 

Coaxial cables may offer lower speeds but are still a budget-friendly option for short-distance and moderate data needs, maintaining reliable performance for the long haul.

Our blog has more resources like how to test coaxial cable, multi-conductor cable types, what is low ohm cable, what does rg mean in coax cable, multi-conductor cable uses, and more.

At this point, though, the only thing left to do is see for yourself why AudioVideoElectric.com is the #1 choice for all your commercial wiring needs. Get in touch with our customer service team for one-on-one assistance or browse our catalog to find the perfect cables for any use case!