Today, connectivity is critical for practically every business, regardless of industry. While most organizations know that fiber optic cables offer faster speeds than copper, many aren’t aware of the other benefits fiber optic cables bring to the table.
Ultimately, fiber optic cabling is broadly the superior choice. Here’s a look at the reasons why fiber optic cables are better than copper cables.
Reasons Why Fiber Optic Cables Are Better Than Copper Cables
Significantly Faster Data Transmission
As mentioned above, it’s common knowledge that fiber optic connections are faster than copper cables. However, many organizations don’t realize just how dramatic the speed differences can be in the end. Since fiber optic cables rely on light instead of the electrical pulses used in copper cables, the transmission speed is up to 70 percent of the speed of light.
Along with transmitting data faster, there’s less latency. That results in a lower “ping,” leading to better overall experiences in real-time exchanges, such as video calling and streaming.
Covering Greater Distances
Copper cables are far more restricted when it comes to the distance they can reasonably cover while still providing a reasonable experience. Usually, the limitation is about 100 meters if you want to ensure signal strength and overall quality. While that may be reasonable for smaller workplaces, it won’t work well for larger ones.
With fiber optic cables, the potential distances are significantly longer. With multimode fiber, the maximum length can exceed one mile before experiencing any service degradation, making it one of the best choices for large workplaces.
Increased Durability
Having a network that can survive during certain extreme conditions is often essential. Fiber optic cables are able to deal with far higher moisture levels and temperatures than copper, often achieving a 50 percent reduction in failure rates. As a result, repairs and replacements aren’t needed as frequently, ensuring less downtime while also reducing long-term costs.
Environmental Friendliness
While copper cabling isn’t hazardous to the environment, the mining of copper and the required purification processes aren’t the most environmentally friendly. In comparison, fiber optic cabling relies on silicon dioxide, which is both widely available and easy to obtain. Couple that with the increased durability, and it’s generally considered a greener choice.
Additionally, the process used to transmit data using fiber optic cabling requires less energy than copper. That results in reduced energy expenditures and less of an impact on the grid, making it a win-win for the company’s bottom lines and the environment.
Enhanced Security
From a security perspective, copper cables are far riskier than fiber optics. With some simple splicing, it’s possible to monitor traffic on copper cabling with relative ease. Comparatively, fiber optic cables are far harder to compromise, as the splicing process is more challenging. The signal type itself is also more difficult to intercept, making the network more secure.
Get In Touch With Tekcom Today!
Ultimately, fiber optic cables are the far superior choice. If you need to hire technology professionals with fiber optic expertise, TekCom can help you achieve your hiring goals. Contact us to learn more about our services today.