Coaxial Cable Vs Fiber Optic Cable፡ አጠቃላይ ንጽጽር

Have you ever thought about why certain internet connections feel faster than others? Well! If so then do remember, it solely relies on the kind of cable you use. Actually, everything from internet service provider (ISP) and your household is partially dependent on coaxial cables. The advent of fiber optics, however, is changing the game with its unparalleled speed and reliability. 

That’s why, we are gonna writing this blog to help you better understand the key differences between both cables. Hopefully, after reading this blog, you will be able to choose the right one according to your needs and requirements. So, be with us! 

1) Understanding Coaxial and fiber optic cables 

እኔ) What is Coaxial Cable?  

“A coaxial cable is basically a type of copper cable that uses electric impulses to transmits data with minimal interferance.” 

Let’s have a look at coax internet cable structure allowing it to transmit high-frequency signals for television, internet and communication networks.

• Main Components:  

• Core Conductor: It is usually made up of copper (a good conductor of electricity ) and thus serves as a highway where the signals travel.

• Insulation: It actually acts as a separating layer between the core conductor and shielding made up of polyethylene. Thus, preventing signal loss.

• Shielding: Moreover, the coaxial cable also has a metal layer ( copper, aluminum foil ) that blocks the external noise by absorbing or redirecting the electromagnetic interference ( EMI ).

• Outer Sheath:  Coaxial cables also have a robust outer covering made up of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen), Thus providing mechanical protection and flexibility.

ii) What is fiber Optic Cable?

fiber optic cable is a type of cable which is different from coaxial one because it uses light instead of electricity, thus transmitting data at exceptional speed. 

Moreover, it is made of super-thin glass or plastic fibers which enable light to go over large distances at great speeds. This makes it ideal for fast internet, video calls, and gaming without lagging. 

• Main Components:  

• Core: It is the central transparent part of the cable made up of glass or plastic where first light enters.

• Cladding: This is a protective layer surrounding the core. It keeps the light inside just like the walls of a pipe keep water inside. 

• Buffer coating: This layer is rough and protects the fiber from breaking.

2) Key differences between Coaxial and fiber optic cables 

Well, let’s discuss which one wins the battle for better connection step by step! 

እኔ) Coaxial Cable VS Fiber Optic Speed

• Coaxial cable: This is like a basic garden pipe. It has a lower limit of 1 Gbps, so it can go up to 1000 Mbps. But if a lot of users are connected, the speed decreases because of network congestion.

• Fiber Optic Cable: Fiber optics can go way above 10 Gbps and even 10,000 Mbps. And since there is light pulses that carry data, so you can get lightning speeds which is 299 792 458 m/s. 

• Outcome

• Thus, fiber optic offers a higher level of service and quality because it is up to ten times faster than coaxial cable. Thus, fiber cable is best for doing downloads, playing games, streaming videos, etc. 

ii) Signal Transmission and Distance: fiber optic cable vs Coaxial cable 

• Coaxial Cable: The signal is sent using electrical pulses but because of distance, it weakens. Without any boosters, a coaxial cable can only effectively transmit data for about a hundred meters, which is approximately 328 feet before major signal loss. 

• fiber Optic Cable: First of all keep in mind that light signals face little or no degradation than electrical signals. The reason is that light is free of any outer electromagnetic interference. Thus, fiber optic cables can transmit powerful light signals without delays for about 40 kilometers which is approximately 25 miles. 

• Outcome

• In short, optic fibers maintain quality over much longer distances making it ideal for large buildings, long-range connections, and campuses. 

iii) Interference and Security: Coaxial cable vs fiber optic

Think of yourself as listening to your favorite song while there is loud static noise blaring in the background. That is what happens is there is electromagnetic interference from surrounding electronic devices.

• Coaxial Cable: Because it carries electricity, it is vulnerable to EMI from power lines, radios, and microwaves. Moreover, coaxial cables are also prone to data interception, thus your privacy will be compromised.

• fiber Optic Cable: It transmits data using light instead of electricity allowing it to be completely immune to EMI. Its light transmission makes tapping into it much more difficult compared to coaxial cables which grants it better security.

• Outcome

• That’s why, I must say that the reliability of የፋይበር ኦፕቲክ ኬብሎች makes them the best choice for sensitive data transfer and financial transactions.

iv) Durability and Installation: fiber optic cable vs Coaxial cable 

• Coaxial Cable: As we have discussed earlier coaxial cables are made up of copper metal. Thus, metal parts make it rigid and thick which gives it a lifespan of 10-20 years. Unfortunately, rust and wear can happen over time due to the surrounding environment.

• fiber Optic Cable: These cables are made out of lightweight materials like transparent glass or plastic which allows them to last 30-50 years. The light weight also means they are more flexible which allows better ease of installation. Although they may break if too much force is applied during the bending of installation.

• Outcome

• Coaxial cables are easier to set up and require less skill to install. But fiber optic cables can last them 2-5 times much longer than coaxial cables.

v) Cost and Affordability: Coaxial cable vs fiber optic

• Coaxial Cable: These cables are very cheap with an estimated cost of $0.20 – $0.50 per foot.

• fiber optic cable: However, these are between $1-$6 dollars a foot. fiber optic cable cost is higher due to the materials and specialized installation. But in the long-term, it saves money because of its durability, lower maintenance requirements, and better performance.  

• Outcome

• If you are looking for cheaper, temporary, coaxial should be your choice. But if you are looking for something long-term, fiber optic is cost-effective!

Moreover, a Quora user named Dragan Evgen Grasic has shared his reviews about the question of whether fiber optic cable is better than coaxial. He said that he used both cables for transferring audio signals. He said that in his area he found coaxial cable meeting the needs. However, he also said that for modern systems and higher bandwidth-requiring areas, coaxial cables will not be enough. So, yes it up to you what actually are your needs.

vi) Applications of Coaxial and fiber Optic Cables

• Coaxial Cable Uses

• Telephone Networks 
• Radio & Broadcasting 
• CCTV & Security Systems 
• Home Internet & Cable TV
• Short-Distance Data Transmission 

• Fiber optic Cable Uses

• High-Speed Internet
• Industrial Automation
• Smart City Infrastructure
• Medical Imaging (Endoscopy)
• የቴሌኮሙኒኬሽን ኔትወርኮች
• Military and Aerospace Applications
• Data Centers and Cloud Computing
• Undersea Communication Cables
• Scientific Research and Sensing

	Coaxial cable	Fiber optic cable	Winner
Speed & Bandwidth	Slower, limited bandwidth	Super-fast, high-bandwidth	fiber Optic
Signal Transmission	Weakens over distance, needs boosters	Stays strong over long distances	fiber Optic
Interference & Security	Prone to interference and hacking risks	Immune to interference, highly secure	fiber Optic
Durability & Installation	Easy to install, but heavier & less durable	Lightweight, durable, needs special setup	Tie (Depends on need)
Cost & Affordability	Cheaper upfront, widely available	Higher cost, but long-term savings	Coaxial (for budget)
Ideal for	Home internet, cable TV, security cameras	Data centers, medical, enterprise, undersea cables	fiber Optic

3) የመጨረሻ ውሳኔ

In short, fiber optic is best known for its unrivaled, speed, security, and long-distance performance. However, in the case of coaxial cables, they may be easier to set up at home compared to fiber optic, and its affordability is hard to pass up. 

But, with further advancement of technology, fiber optics will be preferred as they are the go-to option for fast and reliable communication. Whether it is gaming or streaming, smart device technology will surely keep everyone connected through fiber optics. 

However, keep in mind that a reliable manufacturer is equally important. That’s why I would recommend you to contact ደካም Fiber, a China-renowned fiber optic manufacturer.  You know we have 12 production lines and over 52+ production machines. Moreover, we are exporting our fiber optic cables to 35+ countries and earning an annual revenue of about 40 million RMB. So, contact us today to get an instant quote.

3) FAQS

i) Is coaxial cable better than fiber optics?

This is a question that has no definitive answer. If you desire an affordable and low-maintenance option for your home internet and TV, then coaxial does the job perfectly. For those who require supercharged speeds, no interference, and long-range data transfers fiber optics becomes the obvious answer. 

ii) What is the distance of a coaxial cable?

Coaxial cables can transfer signals to around 500 meters or 1640 feet before losing strength, which coupled with the fact that they require boosters definitely limits their usefulness. With fiber optics, you have the ability to transmit data for hundreds of kilometers, all without losing speed!

iii) What is the advantage of coaxial cable?

The affordable price along with ease of installation makes coaxial cables a great addition for many setups around your home such as internet, TV, and even security systems. Just remember, if you want the fastest speed possible, then fiber optics are the answer!