5G vs Fiber Speed: Which Is Faster? (Full Answer)
Comparing 5G and Fiber Speed: Which Is Faster?
Fiber Optic internet is faster and more efficient than 5G home internet. 5G home internet provides speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, with typical download speeds around 250 Mbps and upload speeds at 25 Mbps. Fiber Optic internet delivers a more common speed of 1,000 Mbps and can reach up to 25,000 Mbps, often with symmetrical upload and download speeds which is particularly beneficial for bandwidth-heavy tasks.
These days, having fast, reliable home internet service might be just as critical as electricity, water, or any other household utility. We depend on the internet for everything from working from home and taking online classes to running our smart homes, powering our entertainment devices and so much more.
It’s no surprise then, that most families need the kind of bandwidth that can only be delivered by high-speed internet options such as fiber optic and the latest technology - 5G internet.
The basic difference between fiber optics and 5G technology is that fiber uses fiber optic cabling, so it’s a wired connection from your provider to your home. But 5G gives you Wi-Fi access over a fixed wireless connection that draws from 5G wireless networks.
While fiber optics is available to about half the country in both metropolitan and rural communities, 5G coverage is mostly limited to certain major cities and urban areas. So which internet option delivers the fastest speeds—fiber optics or 5G? Buckle up, because in this article, we’re going to find out!
Understanding 5G & Fiber Optic Home Internet
5G internet and fiber optic internet are both high-speed internet options, but each has different strengths and weaknesses.
5G internet is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data between devices and cell towers. It offers faster speed and lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we use the internet.
With 5G, you can download large files, stream high-definition video, and play online games with minimal lag. It also has the advantage of being mobile, so you can access the internet on the go. However, 5G coverage is still limited in many areas, and the signal can be disrupted by obstacles like buildings and trees.
Fiber optic internet, on the other hand, uses fiber optic wires to transmit data. Fiber optic wires use light to transmit data, which allows for much faster speeds than traditional copper cables or wireless technologies. In fact, fiber optic internet can offer speeds as high as 25 gigabits per second, which is much faster than most 5G networks.
Plus, the wiring can’t be affected by the weather or other environmental factors such as buildings, hardwired fiber optic internet also tends to be more reliable than wireless internet. Compared to wireless, the main downside of fiber optic internet is that it requires the physical infrastructure of a network, which means it’s only available in all areas where a fiber optic network exists.
So, 5G internet is a wireless technology that offers fast speeds and mobile connectivity, while fiber optic internet offers faster speeds and greater reliability, but requires physical infrastructure. Now let’s compare their speed capabilities.
Speed Comparison: 5G vs Fiber Optic Internet
The differences between fiber optic internet and 5G internet don’t stop at wired vs. wireless. Speed comparisons also tell a different story.
5G home internet commonly gives you speeds of around 100–300 Mbps. But, depending on the type of 5G home internet, speeds can range anywhere from 25 Mbps up to 1,000 Mbps. Therefore, it’s safe to say that most 5G home internet plans have speeds equivalent to what you get on an average coax cable internet plan. So we can say that typical 5G download speeds are around 250 Mbps and upload speeds of around 25 Mbps.
This level of speed is fine for most daily internet tasks, as long as you limit the complexity of your online workload and number of connected devices at any given time to reduce lag, buffering and glitches.
Conversely, fiber is truly the fastest, most reliable, and most high-tech internet around. It’s capable of reaching speeds up to 25,000 Mbps (although 1,000 Mbps is far more common). Fiber also lets you take advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds, boosting uploads to 10 times the speed of what you normally could get otherwise. With these equally fast speeds, you can more easily upload enormous video files, perform seamless video-conferencing and streaming, competitively game, and complete other upload-heavy tasks with all the bandwidth you need on every device running all at once, with no interruptions.
Ideal Use Cases for 5G and Fiber Optic Internet
Since we’ve determined that fiber internet is certainly faster, and more reliable, than 5G internet service, the question of which one is ideal for your internet needs boils down to one question: which are available in your area?
If you have fiber optic internet service available in your area, you’ll enjoy far faster speeds, farther reach and faster throughput than 5G internet. Not only is fiber optic internet far superior in terms of quality when it comes to video conferencing, streaming, gaming, transferring large files and more, but you’ll also experience greater reliability because fiber is hard-wired and not subjected to the same environmental obstacles that sometimes hinder a 5G’s signal.
However, if a 100% fiber optic network is not available in your area, 5G does offer some advantages. First and foremost, 5G service in highly populated areas can be somewhat easy to obtain through some popular wireless carriers. And, you may have the option of adding 5G home internet to your current cell phone plan to make it a good value on cost. So, if you can’t get the super-fast speed and stability of fiber optic internet in your area, 5G may be a great option for your high-speed home internet.
Pros & Cons of 5G Home Internet From a Speed Perspective
The pros of 5G home internet are:
- Faster speeds than previous wireless technologies
- Lower latency than 4G, which means less delay in transmitting data
- Enhanced mobile internet experience, including faster speeds, smooth streaming and lag-free gaming;
But, 5G internet also has:
- Limited coverage since 5G networks aren’t available in all areas, and can be spotty in some locations
- Signal interference from trees, buildings, and other obstacles
- Security concerns over the potential for cyberattacks and data breaches
Pros & Cons of Fiber Optic Home Internet From a Speed Perspective
The pros of fiber optic home internet are:
- With the capacity to reach speeds of up to 25 Gigs per second, no other internet is faster than fiber optics.
- Fiber optic connections are capable of delivering equal upload and download speeds.
- Some fiber optics providers also offer unlimited bandwidth, with no data caps or fees for going over a certain amount of bandwidth use.
- And, as mentioned earlier, buildings and other obstacles don’t affect fiber optic connections, adding to its dependability and exceptional performance.
But fiber optic internet is also:
- More expensive for providers to install than 5G networks, but less expensive to maintain
- Monthly subscription costs may be higher than 5G (but remember, you get what you pay for)
- And, fiber might not have the ability to be bundled with mobile phone plans
5G Versus Fiber - Deciding the Faster Choice
Overall, 5G internet has the potential to be a great option for home internet, but there are still some challenges that need to be addressed—especially when it comes to competing with the speed and reliability of fiber optics..
Therefore, fiber optic internet, will continue to be the fastest, most reliable home internet option for most homes and businesses. It’s a proven technology with virtually limitless potential that’s widely available in not only densely populated areas, but many rural areas as well.
In fact, the first-ever, community-wide 25 Gig network is available in Chattanooga, Tennessee. EPB Fiber Optics, a local electric utility that also sells fiber optic internet and communications solutions, delivers the world’s fastest internet with speeds up to 25 Gigs available to every home and business.
EPB Fi-Speed Internet features equal upload and download speeds, when most providers skimp on upload speeds compared to their advertised download speeds. This symmetrical speed internet makes for faster data transfers, smooth video streaming and lag-free gaming. EPB also provides unlimited bandwidth with no data caps or added fees so you can use as much bandwidth as you need at no additional charge.
Learn more at EPB.com.
