Cable vs. Fiber: Which One Is Better? (2024)

Best cable internet providers

* Connect plan: For 12 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Regional price differences may apply.

## Connect More plan: No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

Gigabit Extra plan: For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

| Fast, Superfast, and Gigabit plan: For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

† Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

‡ for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement

§ w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

|| With enrollment in AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment & speed availability vary by area. $10 off for 12 months on regular rate of $39.99–$74.99.

Best fiber internet providers

* Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc

† for 12 mos, plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to att.com/internet to see if you qualify.

‡ w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.

§ Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Offer details. Offer includes professional installation at customer’s eligible location.

# Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.

** Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factros and are not guaranteed.

‡‡Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.

§§Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.

##Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.

*** w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

††† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

Best fiber internet plans

* Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed.

Available in select markets only. Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.

† Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc

‡ w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.

§ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill per month. Max wired speed 1000/1000 Mbps. Location dependent. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charge on disconnect applies. In select areas where available.

#Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply.

**For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($80/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.

Cable vs. Fiber: Which One Is Better? (2024)

FAQs

Is cable or fiber better? ›

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.

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Is Fiber Internet more secure than cable? ›

Copper cables are prone to EMI, which can compromise data security. With fiber optic cables, businesses can transmit data without interference, ensuring that their data remains secure. Fiber optic networks have higher data transfer speeds, making it harder for attackers to intercept transmitted data.

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Why is cable internet better? ›

Cable Internet: Best With TV Bundles

Some cable providers, such as Spectrum, have plans with speeds almost as fast as fiber internet. It's not the fastest, but cable internet is much faster than DSL. It's a good choice for people who want a consistent and reliable connection but don't need lightning-fast internet.

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Why is fiber a better choice for networking? ›

High Connection Speeds for Multiple Users

Fiber provides greater flexibility which improves communication and connectivity. Because of advanced technology, you can depend on fiber for high connection speeds even when there are multiple users.

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What is the advantage of fiber over cable? ›

Fiber optic cables provide more bandwidth to carry more data than copper cables of the same diameter. No matter what new fiber-optic technologies make it to market in terms of transceivers or other electronics, the benefits of fiber include the fact that its performance isn't limited by the cable itself.

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Is Wi-Fi better than cable? ›

To access a network via an Ethernet connection, users need to connect a device using ethernet cable. An Ethernet connection is generally faster than a WiFi connection and provides greater reliability and security.

Is there a downside to fiber internet? ›

One of the main cons of fiber optic internet is that it can be more expensive than other internet plans. However, the faster speeds and other benefits may be worth the extra cost for some people. According to data from Reviews.org, the average price of fiber optic internet in the United States is around $64 per month.

Will fiber replace cable? ›

Fiber optic technology, with its superior bandwidth and speed capabilities, is increasingly favored for future-forward applications like 5G networks, IoT, and cloud computing. However, copper cables still hold relevance in existing infrastructures and shorter-distance applications.

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Does weather affect fiber internet? ›

Fiber optic internet's resilience truly shines during extreme weather events. Unlike copper cables, fiber optic cables are less susceptible to lightning strikes and power surges. This increased durability means that even during severe weather conditions, your internet connection remains stable.

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What is the downside of cable internet? ›

Disadvantages: Cost: Cable broadband is generally more expensive than DSL. Network Congestion: During peak hours, cable networks may slow down due to network congestion caused by many users sharing the same network.

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Which internet connection is best? ›

The best type of internet is fiber-optic internet because it's extremely efficient, reliable, and fast. In most cases, fiber tops out at 1,000 Mbps for both download and upload speeds.