Fiber vs cable
Two kinds of internet, explained
Both fiber and cable can deliver fast downloads. The difference shows up in uploads, in capacity, and in what happens when your whole office is online at once. Here is how they work and when each one makes sense.
How they work
Light through glass vs signals through copper
Fiber
Fiber optic cable carries data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass. Light carries more information over longer distances than electrical signals over copper, so speeds stay high regardless of how far you are from the network node.
Cable
Cable internet runs over coaxial copper lines, the same kind of line used for cable TV, and carries data as electrical signals. Most cable plans are built with fast downloads and slower uploads.
Why uploads matter
Equal upload speed changes the workday
AT&T Business Fiber
Typical cable plan
Illustration, not to scale. Cable upload speeds vary by plan and provider.
Video meetings
Your camera and screen share are uploads. With equal upload speed, calls stay clear even when more people are online.
Phone over the internet
VoIP calls send and receive at the same time. Symmetrical speeds give both directions the same headroom.
Cloud backups and files
Backing up to the cloud and sharing large files are uploads. Fiber sends them as fast as it downloads.
Remote access and VPN
Staff connecting into the office pull data out of it. That depends on the office upload speed.
Side by side
AT&T Business Fiber and a typical cable plan
| AT&T Business Fiber | Typical cable plan | |
|---|---|---|
| How data travels | Light through glass fiber | Electrical signals through copper coax |
| Upload speed | Equal to download, on every plan | Usually lower than download |
| Top business speed tier | 5 GIG, in limited areas | Varies by provider and area |
| Data caps | None | Varies by plan |
| Annual contract | None | Varies by plan |
| Wi-Fi equipment fees | None | Varies by plan |
Cable plans differ by provider, area and plan. Elevate sells cable internet too and compares real options for your address.
Our recommendation
When we recommend fiber, and when we recommend cable
Choose AT&T Business Fiber when
- AT&T fiber is available at your address
- Your team relies on video calls, VoIP or cloud apps
- You back up to the cloud or move large files
- Shared fiber fits, and you do not need a guaranteed rate
Cable is a good fit when
- Fiber does not reach your building yet
- Your use is mostly downloads and browsing
- You want a second connection from a different network for backup
- A cable plan simply fits the address and budget better
Not sure which one your building can get?
Send us the address. We check fiber and cable options and recommend the right one.