5G Vs Fiber Optic Connections – which one’s better?
Technology is on an uncanny path of progression that is seemingly unstoppable. For a couple of decades, we have observed tremendous leaps that technology has taken and surpassed an average human’s expectations. From smart homes to virtual reality, technological tycoons are making sure to incorporate the utilities of the internet as much as possible.
The internet has become the most common utility after water and electricity and that is because every other task is being performed through the benefit of the internet. Especially, during the global pandemic and the subsequent lockdown around the globe, businesses could only sustain themselves because of the internet. Many industries found new dimensions of business by pushing through the challenge and all of that was made possible by the coverage and high speed of the internet. A study shows that if we had been hit by such a pandemic even a decade ago, the economy would have gotten a much worse hit.
In the era of dial-up internet connection, the download speed of 10 Mbps seemed like a far-fetched dream, however, today we have entered the world of 5G. While 5G has set up base stations in many parts of the United States, it is still in the process to provide full coverage. However, you do not need to waste any time up until it reaches you. Fiber cable is still very much power and is the next best thing as of now. So, instead of waiting, just click here to find out about the amazing fiber internet plans offering download speeds up to 1000 Mbps, seamless connectivity, and guaranteed security.
Further, in this article, we will be discussing 5G and fiber optics connection separately as well as the comparison that will make it clear which option is better.
Table of Contents
What is 5G?
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Fifth Generation mobile network or 5G is the most recent wireless standard in the industry to which all previous standards have succumbed, including 4G. The primary purpose of this newest technology is to connect everything.
Fifth Generation mobile technology provides superfast internet speed that ranges up to gigabits while being ultra-reliable and showcasing super-low latency. 5G network permits users to use the continuous and uninterrupted connection without forfeiting productivity.
Benefits of 5G
The newest mobile network accompanies many related benefits, some of which are:
1. Consistently high speeds
The speed of the 5G connection will surpass the speeds set by its predecessors to a great extent. The extensive coverage of the 5G framework countrywide will make sure that the highest amount of people can benefit from it.
2. More bandwidth capacity
Data transmission capacity is the measure of data used to work the web. Lower transfer speed means slower internet. However, with the 5G technology, users will never have to deal with buffering and slow connection.
3. Better costs
On accounts of zero equipment and cabling costs, 5G connections are likely to be cheaper than fiber-optic connections. It is a relief since internet users around the globe have been waiting for this technology to set camp.
What Is a Fiber optic connection?
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The fiber optic connection had replaced the old copper cable connection. The fiber cable is an amazingly dainty plastic or glass that communicates data coded inside a light emission. It was initially developed during the 1950s for the clinical industry as endoscopes; however, the next decade engineers found out they could utilize a similar innovation to transmit phone calls too.
Benefits of Fiber Optic
Fiber optic, though a slightly older counterpart of 5G, has facilitated the users immensely. It has a lot of benefits, out of which few are shared here:
1. Better bandwidth capacity
Just like the 5G technology, fiber optic connection also provides expanded transfer speed permitting quick data transmission.
2. Better speeds
The expanded data transfer capacity of fiber and the capability of cables to communicate data through light implies that fiber is fundamentally quicker than the older copper cables.
3. More trustworthiness
Fiber optic cables are not affected by changes in temperature, moisture, or climate, which implies there is minimum disruption in the data transmission. Since fiber does not use electric flows, it is not vulnerable to electromagnetic obstruction as well.
4. Versatility
The range of fiber cables can be decreased or increased easily relying upon the needs of an organization. It is additionally ready to consolidate fiber into present networks, incorporating equipment to address different issues.
Comparison of 5G and Fiber optic connection
| Factor | Fiber Optic | 5G |
| Technology | Makes use of light signal for data transmission | Makes use of radio waves for data transmission |
| Reach | Up to 70 kilometers | Up to few 100 meters |
| Speed | Up to 100 Gbps (Practically) | Up to 20 Gbps (download speed) and 10 Gbps (upload speed) |
| Response time | Faster in comparison with 5G | Slower in comparison with fiber optic |
| Rollout time | Takes a lot of time | Takes less time |
| Operational cost | Lower in comparison with 5G | Up to five times in comparison with fiber optic |
| Installation cost | Very high due to the laying of fiber and equipment | Extremely low in comparison with fiber optic |
| Cost to user | Much higher than 5G | Relatively expensive than fiber optic |
The relationship between 5G and fiber optic networks
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5G and fiber optic networks can never be totally unrelated. To comprehend this relationship between both connectivity options, it is useful to take an example of a city’s network in biological terms; 5G will work marvelously as the vessels (wireless fronthaul) of a city’s framework, however, the web traffic will travel almost its whole journey through the arteries or veins (wireline backhaul).
Indeed, similar to the human circulatory system, just about 11 percent of internet traffic is transferred by mobile networks, as per research conducted by Deloitte. The fiber network transfers the remaining 90 percent of the web traffic.
So in a 5G world, the client experience will be improved by better mobile access points. However, the reliability and quality of the mobile network will rely heavily upon the fiber network transferring traffic to and from the 5G network.
As for the debate about ‘5G vs Fiber Optic,’ it continues. Do we think that 5G can make fiber optic redundant in the next decade? Yes, there is a possibility. However, nothing can be said for sure at this point.
