Fiber optic technology use thin strands of glass or plastic to transport data via light pulses.
Cable technology, on the other hand, transmits data using electrical signals. The signals are sent by copper wire or coaxial cable. This technology has been around for a long time and is highly established. With typical speeds ranging from 10 to 100 megabits per second, cable technology is often slower than fiber optic technology.
The reliability of fiber optic technology over cable technology is one of its primary advantages. Fiber optic cables are far less vulnerable to external interference, such as electromagnetic radiation, which can cause signal distortion or loss in copper wire or coaxial cable. This means that fiber optic technology can be utilized in places where cable technology would be impractical, such as industrial settings or areas prone to electromagnetic interference.
Security is another feature of fiber optic technology. Because the data is sent through light, intercepting and decoding the signal is extremely challenging. Fiber optic technology is therefore perfect for delivering sensitive data such as financial transactions, medical information, or government communications.
In addition, fiber optic technology is more efficient than cable technology. Because the data is sent via light, there is extremely little signal strength loss over extended distances. As a result, fiber optic networks can be much larger than cable networks while maintaining signal quality. Fiber optic technology is significantly more energy efficient than cable technology, making it more ecologically friendly.
Despite the benefits of fiber optic technology, cable technology is still widely used in numerous applications. Cable technology is typically less expensive than fiber optic technology, making it a more appealing option for small enterprises or homeowners. In addition, cable technology is more commonly available than fiber optic technology, making it easier to locate a service provider in many places.
Another advantage of cable technology is its versatility. Cable technology can be used to transmit data, voice, and video signals over the same cable, which makes it a convenient option for many users. Cable technology is also more flexible than fiber optic technology, which makes it easier to install and maintain.
One of the big drawbacks of cable technology is that you share your bandwidth with neighbors.