What is the difference between fiber and cable?

In general, fiber home internet is newer, faster, and more reliable—and quickly becoming available across the country at competitive pricing. Cable internet provides high-speed options for communities still awaiting a fiber revolution.

Fiber vs. cable internet, summarized

Fiber optic vs. cable internet technology

Cable networks use primarily copper wiring to send internet signals, while fiber networks use fiber-optics. Fiber optics are dramatically more efficient than copper wiring.

Cable internet evolved out of cable TV service, which was invented in 1948 and commonplace by the 1980s. Cable service uses copper wiring to send data across the network and, at the homes of end users, a modem to convert signals into the digital data you see on a computer screen.

Copper wiring sends data packets through electrical pulses. The longer data has to travel on a copper line, the more packets may burn off as heat and cause potential problems with lag.

Fiber optics have a longer history, first ideated in the 1800s, refined in the 1950s, deployed in government and commercial telecom networks by the 1970s, and offered to individual consumers starting in the 2010s.

Fiber optics send digital data in pulses of light, along transparent glass or plastic strands, rather than using electricity. The transparent strands carry light pulses so efficiently that barely any packets burn off as heat, resulting in astonishing speeds and virtually no lag.

Fiber vs. cable download speeds

Because of the efficiency of fiber optics, fiber networks deliver mind-blowing download speeds, starting in the triple digits and easily reaching Gigabit speeds by bundling more fiber optics in the protective casing.

Copper cables can’t reach download speeds as high as fiber on their own, but cable providers have increased cable speeds over the years by incorporating fiber into their networks too. When you see a cable provider with competitive download speeds to fiber, it’s because they’re also using fiber.

Even with comparable download speeds, however, lag can make your internet feel slow. The more copper in a network, especially in the “last mile” (i.e., the space between your provider’s data center and your home), the more lag or latency you’ll experience, and the more time will pass between a click and its desired result.

Fiber-optic vs. cable internet upload speeds

Fiber optics offer upload speeds that are equal (or “symmetrical”) to download speeds—and they’re dramatically faster than the upload speeds cable offers.

Because fiber optics were first developed for commercial and government use, customers transmitted massive amounts of data, usually sent as much data as they received, and needed those symmetrical upload speeds to avoid processing delays. Fiber optics easily delivered.

Copper cables, on the other hand, take a lot of energy to send internet traffic back toward the provider’s data centers. They also run into more interference at the end of the connection, leading to more data loss.

Home internet users don’t use as much upload bandwidth as commercial clients do. But symmetrical upload speeds can improve your experience on upload-heavy activities like video calls, gaming, or file sharing; they barely raise costs for you or your provider; and they’re “future proof,” meaning they will easily accommodate upgraded internet uses that become common in a few years.

The reliability of fiber internet vs. regular cable

Fiber optic networks resist packet loss and environmental factors much better than metal cable networks. This makes fiber an extremely reliable and efficient technology suited to all sorts of climates and long distances from urban hubs.

Reliability can also be felt and measured by individual internet users. As mentioned above in the discussion around download speeds, lag can make an internet connection feel slower and less reliable. 

Lag, also known as latency or ping, measures the time it takes for data to successfully go from point A to point B. The actual ping rate of an internet service will differ for every single end user and can even vary by time of day. But average rates can be deduced based on technology type.

Ping rates for both fiber and cable internet are under 1 second—they’re measured in milliseconds. But while gaming or presenting in a video meeting, you can feel the difference. (Not convinced? If you’ve ever rage-quit a tab that took longer than 5 seconds to load, you’ve noticed lag.)

Again because of the hyper efficiency of fiber optic cables, lag is very low on fiber networks. Cable users may experience more lag than fiber users, especially at crowded times on the network (e.g., after school or traditional business hours).

Availability of internet fiber vs. cable

Cable internet is much more widely available than fiber. Cable was common in American households by the 1980s, while fiber was first introduced in American households in the 2010s and is still making its way across the country.

Affordability of fiber vs. cable internet

If you take a national average, cable plans run cheaper than fiber plans. But the national average doesn’t matter as much as prices in your area.

Cable has saturated most populated areas of the country, meaning the underlying network already exists and installation only requires connecting individual homes to that network.

When fiber providers enter a new area, however, they have to spend time and money building an entirely new network and balance their revenue accordingly. As a provider adds more customers, package pricing tends to go down, while available speeds tend to go up.

In fiber-rich communities, fiber and cable internet prices already run similar to each other. This trend will most likely continue nationwide.

Is fiber slower than cable?

No. Fiber-optic technology is capable of much higher speeds than cable (copper) technology, especially on outgoing (upload) data. In fact, when a cable plan offers triple-digit download speeds, it’s often because they’ve added fiber into their network to achieve it.

On the rare occasion that you see, for example, a fiber internet plan up to 200 Mbps and a cable plan up to 300 Mbps in the same area, it doesn’t mean fiber technology is slower; it means the fiber provider wants to offer multiple price points and divides bandwidth in a sustainable way.

The longer fiber stays in an area, the more likely you’ll get increased speeds for the rates you pay.

Is fiber or cable internet better for me?

It depends on how you use the internet. If you mostly stick with email, browsing, and social media, fiber and cable both offer reliable service at high download speeds. But if members of your household frequently game, attend school or meetings online, or stream TV into the wee hours of the night, fiber offers the consistently low lag and zippy upload speeds you’ll need for peak performance.

If you live where cable and fiber are both available, you can also check exact prices and deals (e.g., no annual contract, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, etc.) to pin down the best internet service for your home. Visit getwindstream.com/kinetic-internet to view fiber savings near you.

Do you work from home? How many people do you live with? Are you a serious gamer, or just someone who spends more time on social media? To figure out how many Mbps or Gbps you need for your home internet, you’ll need to consider how many devices you’ll need to power, and for what purpose.

Once you know the basics of what you need, you’ll be ready to find the best internet speed for your home.

Which is Faster, Mbps or Gbps?

Mbps Meaning

Mbps stands for “megabits per second.” It measures internet bandwidth, which is the download speed of an internet connection. 

If you have a 200 Mbps internet package, the maximum speed that you can download files and data from the internet is 200 megabits per second. If you have a 500 Mbps internet package, you’ll be able to download files and data at a faster rate. 

Download speed doesn’t only refer to files that you transfer onto your device—it also refers to the time it takes to load a website, or the results of a Google search. The more megabits downloaded per second, the faster your internet speed.

Gbps Meaning

Gbps stands for “gigabits per second,” which equates to one billion bytes of data per second. Gbps is also a measure of internet bandwidth, so the same logic applies to this measurement. The more gigabits downloaded per second, the faster your internet connection.

Is Gbps faster than Mbps?

1 Gbps is equal to 1,000 Mbps. So, yes, Gbps is faster.

Let’s think of this in terms of internet packages. If you have a Kinetic by Windstream 200 Mbps internet package, that means your internet is capable of 200 Mbps upload and download speeds. Considering that the average cable internet speed is 10 Mbps, that is very fast and capable internet. 

However, if you live in a larger household where members download and stream on multiple devices, you will probably need more than 200 Mbps. Kinetic by Windstream also offers a 1 Gbps (or 1 GIG) internet plan, which is equal to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds—that’s five times faster! With more devices using your internet, this package is ideal for hyper-fast and reliable internet.

Do I Need Gbps or Mbps Internet?

Kinetic by Windstream offers fiber-backed internet packages ranging in speed from 50 Mbps to up to multiple GIG speeds, so you have plenty of options when considering what would work best for your household. If you live alone and want to stream in HD, 200 Mbps is a great option for you. If you have a larger household with multiple devices, 1 GIG internet may be the best option to power your home. 

Mbps vs. Gbps for  Stream/Work/Game?

Here are a few examples of approximately how much internet speed it takes to power different online activities:

• A Zoom meeting = 3 Mbps
• Streaming Netflix in HD = 5 Mbps
• Gaming in HD = 6 Mbps

These might make it seem like you don’t need more than the smallest internet package, but consider how many devices you own, and how many are active in your household (your phone, laptop, television, etc.). If you want to minimize lag, you’ll need at least 50 Mbps for basic internet use. Most people, however, need more than that to power them through their daily online activities without buffering.

Do I Need Gbps or Mbps Internet from Windstream?

Now that you know the difference between Mbps and Gbps, you’re ready to figure out the perfect internet speed for your home. Whether you’re playing Elden Ring until 4 in the morning or forgetting to mute yourself for the fifth time in your Zoom meeting, Kinetic by Windstream has the right package to fit your internet need. Check internet availability in your area today!

From flexible hours to learning in your sweatpants, many Americans have seen the perks of remote learning and homeschooling over the last two years. Whether you now consider yourself a pro or are just getting started and need remote teaching tips, there’s no time like the present to make sure everyone learning from home can finish the school year at the top of the class.

The digital experts at GetWindstream have compiled a list of tips to help students and teachers ace the school year. Check them out below before you hit the books!

1. Evaluate Your Internet Plan

A solid internet connection is the cornerstone of success for remote learning or homeschooling. If you often find yourself waiting on long upload and download times, watching a buffering screen, or listening to choppy audio, your internet plan could be at fault. Here are some features to look for in an internet plan that is suitable for home education:

• High-speed internet, ideally 400 Mbps speed or higher
• Symmetrical upload and download speeds
• No data cap or overage fees on data
• A fiber network (where available)

2. Blend Notetaking Approaches

One great opportunity with remote education is the ability to learn how to take notes at home in a way that works for each unique student. While some students perform better with handwritten notes and others thrive with digital note taking, 40% of students prefer a combination. If you’ve only ever taken handwritten or digital notes, try combining them to see how well you retain information—you may be pleasantly surprised!

3. Create a Space Exclusively for School

It’s important to have a balance between work and rest in your home, and the waters can get muddied if you don’t have a workstation that’s only used for educational purposes. Whether you use a home office or a corner of your bedroom, create boundaries between your relaxation and work zones. Further separate your work zone with noise-canceling headphones to eliminate distractions.

4. Update Your Technology

An old computer or outdated modem might work for casual browsing online, but remote learning and homeschooling require tech that can keep you connected during school hours. If you find that your high-speed internet plan doesn’t feel very speedy, check the ages of your router, modem, computer, and any accessories like HDMI cables and Wi-Fi extenders. An upgrade or two may be all you need to stay focused and improve your grades while at home. 

5. Test Out Time Blocking

Time blocking is a method where a person creates a detailed schedule of tasks to complete in a day. For example, for one hour you may work on statistics homework, then read for 30 minutes, and then take a 10-minute break before moving to other tasks. If you struggle to focus at home or feel overwhelmed by the workload, this technique can help you re-focus and prioritize the work that’s most important in a way that feels less daunting.

Extra Tips for Teachers

Homeschool and distance teachers alike can use the tips above to improve their home education setup, but we also have a few bonus tips specifically for educators:

1. Pick your favorite elements from your classroom and apply them to your home workspace. If you would use charts and diagrams on the walls of your classroom, you can easily turn those into a Zoom background while you teach different topics.
2. Review the settings on your video conferencing app. Often, you can reduce background noise, optimize screen recordings, and create customized shortcuts for your go-to controls while teaching.
3. Don’t forget to celebrate your wins—teaching at home can be a challenge, and you deserve to be recognized for your hard work!

If you’ve been frantically searching for remote teaching tips or are looking to improve your homeschooling strategy, we hope this guide will help you on your path to success.