There’s a lot to understand about phone systems, but a big one is internet connection. Increasingly, office phone systems are relying less on copper wires and more on your internet. If you’re experiencing increased lagging after increasing your workforce, upgrading your phone system to VoIP (voice-over-IP), or moving more of your processes online, it could be time to think about upgrading your internet, and not just your internet plan. It’s time to compare fiber versus cable internet. 

For over the last decade, internet was delivered by cable through copper wires, and coax or coaxial internet. Now, there’s a new kid on the block called fiber internet that delivers faster speeds and better bandwidth. If you’ve been struggling with slow internet, fiber internet can make business lightning-fast again.

Unfortunately, like every technology, the decision to upgrade comes with higher up-front costs. On the other hand, if you need faster internet, upgrading to this new system could carry a great return on investment. Let’s dive into fiber versus cable internet so you can know what you need.

Cable vs. fiber internet

Cable internet is a marked improvement from dial-up and DSL of the past, but technology marches on. Fiber internet moves through fiberoptic cables. These cables transmit data using light processed along small strands of fiber and glass. It can transmit a boatload more data to and from your computer. Cable can reach speeds ranging from 200 through 2,000 megabits per second, versus fiber which can reach speeds starting at 1 gigabyte per second. Compared to cable, that’s a lot of information in a short amount of time.

Why should you switch to Fiber now?

Generally, fiber internet delivers more bandwidth and higher speeds than cable. A higher bandwidth means your internet speed is less likely to get bogged down if a bunch of people are using the internet.  Fiber is also dedicated meaning you aren’t sharing your bandwidth with your neighbors.  Fiber has synchronous bandwidth, too. That means the speeds for uploads and downloads are the same, whereas cable traditionally has lower upload speeds than download speeds.

Another factor in why you should switch? Internet outages. If your internet is out on a cable package, you could be out of luck until it comes on – and pay the same price. With fiber, there’s an SLA (Service Level Agreement) built into your contract, so if the internet is out for a certain amount of time, you will be reimbursed by the downtime.

What’s cable internet?

Once upon a time, internet was exclusively carried through your phone system. You might even remember the days where you had to wait for someone to get off the phone before going online! Then, it was carried through DSL via copper wires. This is cable, coax, or coaxial internet, and it’s carried through coaxial cables by your cable provider. If you’re working on a desktop, this system is most likely the way you’re reading this blog or using the internet. 

Should you wait?

But wait, if fiber internet is so much better versus cable, why wait? As a business owner, you probably already guessed: cost. Since it’s a newer technology, it’s more expensive than cable. Also, some cable providers have comparable internet speeds to fiber. These tend to be the pricier providers like Xfinity. 

If you have a smaller team, fiber internet might not be worth the cost. You know the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” If your internet is already working fine, it might not be time for you or your business to switch internet delivery systems.

However, there’s another consideration: phone systems. There are a lot of benefits to a voice-over I.P., a phone system that runs on your internet. However, a VoIP takes up bandwidth, especially if you have a lot of calls coming through. Therefore, if you’re upgrading to VoIP or your internet is slower after upgrading, you may want to consider the switch to fiber now.  

Slow internet slowing down your office’s productivity? Contact us soon! Reach out by the end of the year and receive a free consultation on whether switching to fiber optic internet is the smart move for you. We offer all the carriers like Comcast, Spectrum, Wow, AT&T and 123 Net.