Fiber vs. Cable: Understanding the Differences

If you’re shopping for home internet, one of the biggest questions you’re probably facing is: “Fiber or cable internet?”

Fiber offers ultra-fast speeds for multiple devices, even if the people using those devices are simultaneously streaming, working, playing, and socializing. Fiber internet brings speeds of 2 gigabit per second (Gbps) or more to support our modern lives.

Over the past decade or so, cable internet has been the go-to for the top speeds at the best cost, with reliability better than the wireless options (mobile, fixed, satellite). However, 2024 is the first year when nationwide fiber internet availability has grown while cable availability has declined, according to CNET

The abundance and variety of internet connectivity types and plans high-speed internet providers offer might seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Get a handle on the cable vs. fiber internet debate with this quick guide that breaks down the seven key differences:

1. Composition

2. Equipment and installation

3. Speed

4. Reliability

5. Signal distance

6. Security

7. Lifespan

Ultimately, you’ll learn whether fiber internet or cable is right for you.

What is fiber internet?

Fiber internet, or fiber-optic internet, is a type of data connectivity that brings your devices online using the power of light. With fiber-optic internet, data transmits as light through incredibly thin strands of glass or plastic fibers. These light signals move quickly and efficiently, reaching their destination at nearly the speed of light.

Fiber-optic lines look a lot like cable internet lines, but they can be more challenging to install and repair because they contain delicate glass strands. Unlike cable, which often uses existing television and phone lines, fiber is a newer technology built from the ground up.

As a result, fiber internet infrastructure isn’t as widespread as cable. Still, the innovative use of light for data transmission allows for super-fast speeds, commonly twice as fast as comparable cable networks.

What is cable internet?

Cable internet is what you’re (probably) used to.

Cable internet connects your devices online through electrical signals sent over copper coaxial cables. These cables were initially designed for cable television, and internet service was later added to this existing infrastructure. With cable internet, data is transmitted as electrical impulses through copper wires, which can carry large amounts of data at decent speeds.

Cable lines are widely available and have been used for decades, making them easier to install and maintain than newer technologies like fiber. However, because cable internet shares bandwidth among multiple users in a neighborhood, speeds can slow down during peak usage.

Cable internet infrastructure is well-established and widely available, making it a convenient option for many households. While it may not match the speeds of fiber, cable internet still provides reliable and fast service, especially in areas where fiber isn’t yet an option.

Fiber vs. Cable Internet: 7 Differences

Here’s a look at the seven key ways fiber differs from cable internet.

1. Composition

Composition, or how the wire is made, is at the heart of how fiber-optic internet works.

Fiber internet uses ultra-thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data as light signals. Cable internet relies on copper coaxial cables (like what you used to plug into the back of your tube-style television) that send data as electrical signals. This complete difference in materials results in superior speed and reliability for fiber vs. cable internet.

Fiber’s composition and infrastructure also support symmetrical speeds, which means uploads and downloads can travel at the same rate. Coaxial cable connections don’t offer this — instead, uploads usually take much longer than downloads.

2. Equipment and installation

There’s no need to worry about how fiber-optic internet is installed compared to cable internet because it’s roughly the same customer experience.

If fiber is available in your area, you can order it online or by calling your Internet Service Provider (ISP)—just like cable. A technician will typically need to lay the fiber lines from the nearest hub to your doorstep.

Fiber internet requires an optical network terminal (ONT) to convert light signals into data your devices can use. Cable internet uses a standard cable modem and existing infrastructure, making installation simpler and quicker in areas with established cable lines.

Since most ISPs provide ONTs, modems, and routers, the exact equipment you need to set up your home’s Wi-Fi shouldn’t be much of a concern, regardless of whether you go for fiber or cable.

3. Speed

For the best experiences with online gaming, streaming 4K video, working from home, posting social videos, and engaging in other data-rich online activities, high-speed internet is essential. When multiple devices are performing these tasks simultaneously, having a fast connection is crucial to avoid a less than optimal experience.This is one of the biggest benefits of fiber internet, which offers symmetrical upload and download speeds. This provides consistently fast service regardless of network congestion or distance from the ISP.

Cable internet can also offer high download speeds, often up to 1Gbps, yet many connections fall in the 100-400 Mbps range. Upload speeds are much lower, more like 10 to 50 Mbps.

We surveyed 500 people who now have fiber internet, of whom 168 previously had cable internet. A vast majority (86%) said their fiber experience was faster than cable, while 64% said it was much faster (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).

4. Reliability

When it comes to connection reliability in the fiber vs. cable internet battle, fiber again stands out. Cable is more susceptible to electromagnetic interference, can slow down during peak usage, and may lose speed over greater distances..

For example, 57% of remote workers who switched to fiber said they experience fewer issues with video calls. What’s more, 60% feel that working from home is less stressful with a fiber connection (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).

Fiber internet has consistent speeds even during peak times. It offers ultra-low lag for smoother gaming and video conferencing, and its symmetrical upload and download speeds provide reliable performance for activities requiring real-time, two-way communication.

5. Signal Distance

Fiber-optic internet uses light signals, which are immune to electromagnetic (EM) interference.

EM interference can have more of an impact over longer distances. Because the signal naturally weakens over longer distances the susceptibility to EMI is increased. There is also a greater likelihood of encountering EMI exposure to things like powerlines, electrical machinery, wireless signals etc. when the signal is travelling over longer distances—if they’re made of metal, like cable coaxial lines.

So, no matter how far you are from the ISP sending you the internet connection, fiber customers generally won’t see a difference in upload or download speed quality. In contrast, cable customers may see slower speeds if they live farther away from the ISP.

6. Security

Internet security is becoming increasingly vital as our devices and lives become more connected. Thanks to its unique composition, fiber is inherently more secure than cable. Intercepting light signals within glass fibers is more difficult than tapping into electrical signals in copper cables.

7. Lifespan

Hundreds of glass strands bundled together in a wire — that sounds fragile, right?

Surprising as it might sound, fiber lines are stronger than copper cable wires. While the actual strands inside might be fragile and complex to repair, they’re immune to corrosion that eats away at metal wires. Plus, they’re made of specially engineered glass and plastic that can withstand extreme forces like twisting, bending, and tension. This is particularly the case when fiber wires lines are installed underground versus above ground.

In the decades since cable infrastructure was installed, innovations have made fiber infrastructure much more robust. That means it’s a stronger, longer-lasting product end to end.

Fiber or cable: Which is right for me?

If you’re still not quite settled in your fiber vs. cable internet debate, check out your area’s fiber internet plans and see how they stack up against what you’re paying for cable internet. There’s no need to pay the same — or even more — for yesterday’s technology. Chances are, there’s little to no price difference in your available fiber and cable internet options.

If you’re still on the fence or find that fiber internet is still cost-prohibitive in your area, think about how often you’ve been frustrated by slow, unreliable, laggy, or otherwise frustrating internet speeds. Then consider how much more data-intensive your online work might be in the next year — and how many more devices you might have connected by this time next year.

Unless it is not available, Fiber is the best option for many reasons. Customer demand can help inform where fiber infrastructure builds out next.

A good place to start your search is to see if ultra-fast Kinetic Fiber Internet is available in your area. Kinetic provides a consistently reliable connection capable of supporting an almost limitless number of devices, from smartphones and tablets to smart appliances.

Fiber vs. Cable Internet FAQs

Is fiber or cable internet better?

We believe Fiber is the better technology, given its ultra-fast method of modern data transmission. Cable internet, on the other hand, is built upon old copper lines originally designed to carry television signals.

Fiber is faster and more reliable, with pricing and availability quickly approaching (if not already the same cost or cheaper) cable internet.

Should I switch to fiber from cable?

If fiber internet is available in your area and within your budget, a switch might make sense to benefit from faster speeds, better support for multiple devices, and symmetrical bandwidth for work, gaming, and live streaming.

*About this data: Study includes data from survey conducted by third-party survey research company on Aug. 19, 2024, of respondents aged 18 and up across all 50 states. Participants were recruited using Random Device Engagement (RDE) and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. More information on methodology here.