Choosing your telecoms cables: Copper vs fiber optics

Telecomms cables provide signals for TV, phone and internet. All the cable really does is carries a data signal back and forth between two devices. The data signal is no less than energy traveling along a wire.

Whats the difference?

Telecomms cables provide signals for TV, phone and internet. All the cable really does is carries a data signal back and forth between two devices. The data signal is no less than energy traveling along a wire.

Fiber optics
​These cables are made of glass or plastic strands that conduct light between two points. Because light is the fastest moving form of energy, fiber optics are the most advanced and efficient form of communications. There’s no interference with the signal, which can happen with copper cable, so the signal is of higher quality. The bandwidth is also much higher in fiber optics when compared to copper cables of the same size.

Copper

Copper cables transmit data through pulses of electricity, rather than light. This means a slower signal, and one that is more susceptible to interference. While the cost per foot is currently cheaper (in general), the premium for fiber optics might be worth the price if your business relies on bandwidth.

Comparing cost and efficacy

When it comes to cost comparisons, copper and fiber optics cannot necessarily be directly compared. The cost of the cable itself is only a small part of the true cost. Here are several factors that affect the true cost:
---initial cost (installation, cost of material, cost of other components, network design)
---total cost of ownership
---length of useful life of your network
---the impact a network might have on productivity

The most cost effective choice is going to depend on your situation. If the limitations of copper(distance, bandwidth) are going to affect your productivity, its a no-brainer that any overhead you might pay for fiber optics will eventually pay itself off. Then, you can factor in that copper network shave components that need to be upgraded every few years. This brings up two new factors to consider: how service interruptions due to future installations will impact productivity, and the cost of service and materials for upgrades.

Additionally, copper and fiber optics networks can be designed differently. Because copper is only effective in lengths up to 295’ (that’s cable length, much of which is spent running up, down and around), you may need to add in extra communications closets for a copper network. So you’ll have to factor in more design and installation costs, as well as the cost of a few more square feet of space. Consider also the cost of conduit for protection from EMI interference (for copper), if needed.

So fiber optics might be more expensive (for now) in terms of cost per foot, but this is not indicative of the true cost. To determine your best option, you need a comprehensive analysis of your needs and the conditions you face. An expert in telecomms network design can help you to this end, and this is where the value of a turnkey package that covers both design and installation becomes evident. Insight on what material to use is just part of the package we offer.

For more on how our turnkey services simplify and streamline network construction, click here