Internet Tips and Tricks

What is Fiber Optics & Why Is It Better Than Copper?

Ever get tired of slow, laggy internet? You’re not alone. Many people still use old copper cables for their internet, even though there’s a much better option: fiber optics.

Fiber internet isn’t just faster—it’s stronger, more reliable, and built for the future. Unlike copper, fiber doesn’t slow down when more people are online. It doesn’t drop out in bad weather. It won’t freeze your video calls or make you wait for buffering.

In this guide, we’ll break down what fiber optics is and why it beats copper in every way.

1. What is Fiber Optic Internet?

Fiber optic internet uses thin glass strands to send data as light. That’s what makes it so fast and reliable.

Copper cables, the old way of connecting to the internet, use electricity instead. That’s slower, less stable, and weakens over long distances.

Think of it like this:

Copper = an old, bumpy dirt road → Slows you down, full of problems.
Fiber optics = a smooth, fast highway → No interruptions, pure speed.

With fiber, your connection stays fast, strong, and ready for anything, no matter how many devices you use.

The 7 Biggest Advantages of Fiber Optics Over Copper

Not all internet connections are the same. If you’re still using copper, you’re missing out on better speed, reliability, and security. Here’s why fiber optics is the smarter choice.

1. Insane Speed

Fiber optic internet is built for speed. It transfers data using light, while copper cables use electricity, which is much slower.

Here’s why fiber leaves copper in the dust:

Higher bandwidth = no slowdowns.

Copper cables were designed for basic phone calls, not modern high-speed internet.
Fiber optics can handle way more data at once, so your connection stays fast even with multiple devices online.

Example: Ever noticed your internet slowing down at night? That’s because too many people are using shared copper connections that get overloaded. Fiber has dedicated bandwidth, so you don’t have to share your speed with neighbors.

2. Speed Stays Consistent Over Distance

Copper internet slows down the farther you are from your provider’s hub. This happens because copper uses electrical signals, which weaken as they travel through the cable. The longer the cable, the more resistance it faces, causing signal loss and slower speeds.

Here’s why copper struggles:

Electrical resistance → Copper wires naturally resist electrical flow, so signals fade over distance.
Interference → Copper is affected by nearby electronics, power lines, and even weather, making speed drops worse.
Signal boosters needed → ISPs install amplifiers along the line to boost the signal, but this only partially helps.

Example: If you live far from your provider’s hub (the central internet connection point), your copper internet is much slower than someone living closer.

Fiber doesn’t have this problem. It uses light signals, which travel through glass fibers with almost zero loss, even over long distances. Unlike copper, fiber is:

Immune to electrical resistance → Light doesn’t slow down like electricity does.
Not affected by interference → No signal disruption from other devices or weather.
Designed for long distances → Fiber can transmit data hundreds of miles without needing a booster.

Example: Whether you’re one mile or 50 miles from your provider, fiber delivers the same fast speed.

3. No “Peak Hour” Slowdowns

Ever noticed your internet getting slower in the evening? That’s because copper networks get overloaded when too many people are online at once.

Here’s why it happens:

Copper internet is shared → Your connection isn’t just yours. It’s part of a larger network that includes your neighbors, businesses, and anyone else nearby.
Limited bandwidth → Copper cables can only handle so much data at a time. When too many people stream, game, or work online, the system gets clogged like a traffic jam.
Slower speeds during peak hours → “Peak hours” (usually 6 PM – 11 PM) are when most people get home from work, stream Netflix, or use the internet. With copper, more users = less speed for everyone.

Example: You sit down to stream a movie at 8 PM. So does your neighbor. And their neighbor. And half the city. Your copper internet slows to a crawl because everyone is fighting for bandwidth.

Fiber optics don’t share this problem with copper internet.

Fiber internet doesn’t share bandwidth in the same way because it uses a dedicated line to your home.

Here’s what that means:

More capacity → Fiber can handle much larger amounts of data than copper, so it doesn’t get congested.
No fighting for speed → Unlike copper, fiber isn’t overloaded by neighbors streaming or gaming at the same time.
Reliable, fast speeds, even during peak hours → No lag, no buffering, no waiting.

Example: Streaming a movie at 8 PM? With fiber, it plays instantly, in perfect quality, because your connection isn’t slowed down by other users nearby.

4. No More Lag or Buffering

Nothing’s worse than a frozen video call or a game that lags at the worst moment. If you’re using copper internet, these issues happen all the time, especially if you’re far from the provider’s hub.

Here’s why copper struggles:

Signal loss over distance → Copper uses electrical signals, which weaken as they travel through the cable. The longer the distance, the slower and weaker your connection gets.
Interference makes it worse → Copper lines are sensitive to electrical interference from power lines, weather, and even household devices, leading to unstable speeds.
Limited capacity → Copper cables weren’t built for modern internet use, so they struggle when handling high-definition video, gaming, or multiple devices at once.

Fiber eliminates lag and buffering because it delivers data as light instead of electricity. This makes it way faster and more stable, no matter where you are.

Here’s what makes fiber different:

No signal loss over distance → Light signals travel through glass fibers with almost zero resistance, so speed stays the same even far from the provider.
Immune to interference → Fiber isn’t affected by electrical signals, weather, or congestion from nearby devices.
Handles more data at once → Fiber can easily support multiple devices streaming, gaming, or video calling all at the same time—without slowing down.

Example: Ever been on a video call where the screen freezes, voices lag, or the call drops completely? That’s copper choking under pressure because the signal has weakened by the time it reaches you.

5. More Reliable in Any Weather

Ever had your internet cut out during a storm? If you’re using copper, bad weather can slow it down or knock it out completely. That’s because copper cables are sensitive to environmental conditions in a way that fiber is not.

Even though both copper and fiber cables can be placed underground or on poles, copper is more vulnerable because it:

Uses electricity → Copper transmits data using electrical signals, which means it’s highly sensitive to water, humidity, and lightning strikes.
Corrodes over time → Moisture from rain, snow, or flooding can seep into old or damaged copper cables, causing rust, interference, and even complete failure.
Expands and contracts with temperature → In extreme heat, copper wires expand, weakening connections. In freezing temperatures, they contract, which can lead to cracks and breaks.
Picks up interference → Copper cables act like antennas, picking up interference from power lines, lightning, and even household appliances, leading to signal disruptions.

Fiber isn’t affected by weather or interference because it’s made of glass or plastic and uses light signals instead of electricity. That makes it:

Immune to electrical interference → Lightning, power lines, and electrical surges don’t affect fiber because it doesn’t conduct electricity.
Water-resistant → Unlike copper, fiber doesn’t corrode or short-circuit if exposed to moisture. Even if water enters a fiber cable, it won’t disrupt the connection.
Temperature-stable → Fiber cables don’t expand or contract with heat and cold, so they don’t degrade as quickly in extreme weather.
Better protected → Many fiber installations use reinforced coatings that make them even more durable against environmental damage.

6. More Security & Less Hacking Risk

Online security is a big deal, and your internet connection plays a huge role in keeping your data safe. If you’re using copper-based internet, you’re at higher risk of hacking compared to fiber.

Hackers can:

Physically tap into the cable → A small device can be attached to a copper line to steal data without interrupting the connection.
Intercept signals remotely → Because copper emits electromagnetic signals, hackers can use special equipment to pick up data from a distance without even touching the cable.
Exploit shared networks → Since many copper networks use shared bandwidth, a hacker on the same connection can snoop on others’ activity more easily.

Fiber optic cables can’t be tapped the same way because they use light signals instead of electricity.

Beyond just better physical security, fiber providers like Race Communications offer WiFi management apps with built-in security features to protect your network even further.

For example, Race CommandIQ® lets you:

Monitor connected devices → See who’s using your network at all times.
Set parental controls → Block harmful sites and set time limits for kids.
Enable guest networks → Keep visitors on a separate, secure connection.
Detect potential threats → Get alerts if something suspicious happens on your network.

This is why banks, government agencies, and military networks trust fiber: because hacking it is nearly impossible without physically cutting the cable (which would immediately alert the network).

7. Future-Proof Investment

The internet is changing fast, and the way we use it is evolving every year. What worked 10 years ago won’t cut it today. That’s why copper is becoming obsolete, while fiber is built for the future.

A decade ago, most people only needed the internet for browsing websites and checking emails. Back then, copper connections were enough. But today, our internet usage has skyrocketed because:

We have more devices online → Homes now have smart TVs, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, security cameras, smart thermostats, and voice assistants—all requiring constant connectivity.
We stream everything → HD and 4K streaming on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ demand more bandwidth than ever.
We upload as much as we download → Back in the day, we mostly downloaded data (web pages, emails). Now, we’re uploading constantly—videos to Instagram and TikTok, live streaming, cloud backups, Zoom calls, and more.
Work and school depend on the internet → Remote work, virtual meetings, and online learning require fast, stable connections with strong upload speeds.

One of the biggest problems with copper is that it has asymmetrical speeds, meaning download speeds are much higher than upload speeds.

On copper, you might get 100 Mbps download, but only 10 Mbps upload. That’s a huge problem if you’re video calling, gaming, or uploading large files.
Most fiber plans offer symmetrical speeds, meaning you get 100 Mbps download AND 100 Mbps upload, or even faster (up to 10 Gbps).

If you want internet that won’t be outdated in a few years, fiber is the only smart choice.

Bottom line: Fiber is faster, stronger, and safer than copper. If you want internet that actually keeps up with your life, it’s time to make the switch.

But Isn’t Fiber More Expensive? (Let’s Bust the Myth!)

A lot of people think fiber internet is too expensive. That used to be true, but not anymore. Prices have dropped, and when you compare the value you get, fiber is actually a smarter, more cost-effective choice than copper.

In the early days, fiber was new, and installing the infrastructure was costly. But now, with more fiber networks in place, the costs have come down significantly. Many fiber plans today are priced the same or even cheaper than traditional cable or DSL.

At first glance, copper internet may seem cheaper, but hidden costs add up over time. Here’s why:

Frequent maintenance and repairs → Copper cables degrade faster and are easily damaged by weather and interference, leading to costly repairs and service calls.
Slower speeds waste your time → Lag, buffering, and slow downloads waste hours every month, which means lost productivity, frustration, and missed opportunities.
Data caps and overage fees → Some copper-based providers throttle speeds or charge extra if you exceed data limits. Fiber providers don’t have data caps.
More equipment fees → Many older copper-based services charge for modems, boosters, and frequent upgrades just to keep up with demand. Fiber’s more efficient technology needs fewer add-ons.

Race Communications makes fiber optics affordable for everyone:

Internet 300 for $35/mo.
Internet 500 for $49.95/mo.
Gigabit Internet for $59.95/mo.
10 Gigabit Internet for $120/mo.

Upgrade to Fiber Internet with Race Communications

Not all internet providers are the same. Race Communications is 100% fiber-only: no outdated copper, no slow speeds, no frustrating outages. We specialize in fiber, which means you get faster, more reliable internet without the usual headaches.

Here’s why switching to Race Communications is the best choice:

Fast fiber speeds. No lag, no buffering, no slowdowns.
99.9% uptime guarantee. Your internet just works, rain or shine.
No data caps. Stream, game, and work without limits.
No contracts. Stay because you love it, not because you’re stuck.
Free installation & free router. Get set up with zero extra costs.
Local customer support. Real people, remote troubleshooting, and next-day appointments when needed.

Copper is old, slow, and unreliable. Fiber is fast, stable, and future-proof. Why keep dealing with spotty connections and outdated technology when you can have better internet today?

What is Fiber Optics & Why Is It Better Than Copper?

1. What is Fiber Optic Internet?