7 Differences between Ethernet over
Copper (EoC) and Fiber Internet

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7 Differences between Ethernet over Copper (EoC) and Fiber Internet

EOC vs Optic Fiber

Copper Availability vs. Fiber availability
Fiber speeds are faster
EoC installation is much quicker than fiber
Fiber Service Level Agreements are better
EoC has a lower cost per megabit
EoC has distance limitations
EoC is susceptible to Electrical Interference

There are several differences between Ethernet over Copper (EoC) internet service and fiber internet service that make it difficult to decide which may be better for you. EoC service installs quicker and costs less but has limitations. Fiber service has higher speeds and is more reliable but may be more than what you need. Which is right for you?

Fiber vs. Copper

Ethernet over Copper internet is built using copper wire at the physical layer. The technology uses copper pairs or wire to send signals. Multiple copper pairs are combined together and terminated in a modem to aggregate the speeds of the pairs. The distance the signals travel is limited because of the higher frequencies used. Therefore locations more than approx. 1.5 – 2 miles from the Central Office (C.O.) will have limited EoC speed options.

Fiber service is built using fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cable is a small, thin wire of glass the transmits digital signals (1’s and 0’s) along the fiber. Multiple light waves (multi-mode), or colors of light, can be transmitted along the same fiber so more than one light path can be used simultaneously. Signals travel at the speed of light along the fiber and as the processing power improves updated equipment can be added to the fiber ends to improve the services on the fiber. Fiber service is not as distance sensitive as EoC service. The light pulses on the fiber can travel hundreds of miles before needing a repeater to clean the signal. Fiber also has better shielding characteristics than that of copper pairs. The fiber is encased in a protective cladding protecting it from outside interference or attempts at snooping.

Fiber offers much faster speeds

Ethernet over Copper speeds are available both asynchronously and synchronously. The asynchronous speeds have faster download speeds, then upload speeds. Synchronous speeds are the same speed in both directions. Typical EoC speeds are from 5MB up to 50MB. In contrast, fiber internet speeds are usually from 10MB to over 1 Gigabit and higher speeds are possible. Fiber internet is the backbone of the internet superhighway infrastructure connecting the worldwide carriers together. Fiberoptic cables are not only crisscrossing all the continents but also between the continents with undersea cables also called submarine cables.

To access an interactive cable map of the submarine cables across the world, go to this link: www.submarinecablemap.com/#/submarine-cable/aec-1

Ethernet over Copper can be installed with shorter timeframes

Ethernet over copper service can be installed much quicker then fiber Internet service can. Typical EoC service can be installed in 3 to 6 weeks while fiber service often takes 2 to 4 months. If there is one drawback to a fiber internet circuit as compared to an EoC internet circuit this may be it. Advance planning is needed when ordering fiber service in the event construction is needed to bring fiber to your location. Construction sometimes requires state, city or local permits and may also be slowed in colder climates if digging is required. If install time frames are a concern Ethernet over copper installations may be a better consideration.

Fiber internet offers better Service Level’s

SLA’s are service level agreements. Internet Service Providers (ISP’S) will provide the “Service Levels” of each of their internet services. Fiber circuits have better SLA’s in terms of overall reliability than EoC internet circuits. Typical SLA’s for fiber service are: Availability (99.99%), Jitter (2MS), Packet Loss (less than 5%), Latency (50ms), MTTR (Average time to Repair (4 hours), Installation goal (in days).

EOC Internet has a lover cost per Megabit

EoC internet service is very affordable and competitive relative to fiber internet service. In locations where both EoC and fiber internet service is available you will often find that EoC internet service is often 40% less than fiber service.

Fiber is good for growing business’s

One parameter that often gets overlooked when considering new service is the anticipated growth of bandwidth. The rate of bandwidth growth is often said to be doubling every 3 years. Therefore, a 50Mb circuit today may need to be replaced with a 100MB circuit in 3 years. A fiber circuit has the ability to grow with your needs better. If the next circuit needed will be a fiber circuit due to the higher bandwidth than it may be a consideration early on. One note of caution, however, do not over purchase for your current needs. It may be better to note your bandwidth growth and plan at least 4-5 months out if you need additional bandwidth. The “loop speed” is another item to consider when installing fiber service. Typically, fiber loops support speeds up to 100mb/s or up to 1GB/s. If you are installing a 100MB/s fiber circuit, you can order it with either a loop capable of going 100mb/s or a loop capable going 1GB/s. If your next circuit increment will be 200mb/s and your loop only supports 100mb/s then an entire upgrade (new install) with a 90-day interval will be needed. However, if you initially ordered a 1GB loop then you can upgrade your fiber circuit much quicker with a “change order” to your Service Provider. This may only take a couple of weeks.