Network Cables Report: UTP vs Coaxial vs Fiber Optic for Businesses

This report provides a comparative analysis of three primary types of network cables: Twisted Pair (UTP), Coaxial, and Fiber Optic. It begins with a description of each cable type, detailing their construction and common applications. The report then explores the advantages and disadvantages of each cable for business infrastructure, including factors such as cost-effectiveness, durability, susceptibility to interference, and transmission speed. A detailed comparison table summarizes the key differences in terms of speed, bandwidth, distance, price, installation, and application. The report emphasizes the importance of considering these factors when selecting the most appropriate cable for specific networking needs. Finally, the report concludes by highlighting the trade-offs involved in choosing between the three cable types, taking into account factors like installation complexity and long-term performance.

Computer science

Table of Contents
Description...........................................................................................................................................2
Twisted Pair Cables..........................................................................................................................2
Advantages of UTP for business infrastructure........................................................................................2
Disadvantages of UTP..............................................................................................................................2
Coaxial Cables..................................................................................................................................2
Advantages of coaxial cable.....................................................................................................................2
Disadvantages of coaxial cable.................................................................................................................2
Fiber optics cable..............................................................................................................................2
Advantages of Fiber optics cables............................................................................................................3
Disadvantages of fiber optics cables.........................................................................................................3
Comparison of Twisted Pair Cable vs Coaxial Cable vs Fiber Optic Cable........................................3
References:...........................................................................................................................................4

Description
Twisted Pair Cables
Twisted pair cable has been adapted in the telecommunication field for long. it has a pair of
insulated wires that are twisted together. This twisting of cables together reduces outside noise and
crosstalk within the multi-pair cables. There are two types of twisted pair cables namely shielded
twisted pair STP and unshielded twisted pair UTP. In the unshielded twisted pair there are only two
insulated wires that are twisted together and is the most commonly used as normal telephone cables
and data communication cables (Guttadauro, 2017).
Advantages of UTP for business infrastructure
This type of cables are the very cost-effective for the business.
They can be installed very easily being pliable.
Short distance communication can be done effectively.
Disadvantages of UTP
It has very low durability that is the business would require to maintain it routinely.
It is susceptible to Electromagnetic interference and has higher attenuation (Nelson, 2006, 10).
Coaxial Cables
In coaxial cables there is only a single solid copper core. This type of cable perform high-frequency
transmission. The transmission capability of coaxial cable is 80 times faster than the twisted-pair
cables. The use of this cables is commonly done for the television signals and to establish
connection between computers in a network. This this type of network cable are easily available and
are most common in offices and schools.
Advantages of coaxial cable
This type of network cable are very durable.
For short distance communication they perform best and hence can be beneficial for business
infrastructure.
Disadvantages of coaxial cable
For longer distances the signals get easily lost.
At point of egress the signals sometimes gets leaked.
In case the cables are used heavily in the infrastructure there can be speed fluctuations (Cabling
Installation and maintenance, 2002)
Fiber optics cable
Fiber optics is a new generation of transmission media cable. There is a complete assembly of fibers
in the fiber optics cables in which there are one or more optical fiber which transmit data. Within
the cable all the optical fiber elements are coated individually by plastic layers and are contained in
a protective tube. The data is transmitted through the fiber optic cable as pulses of light passes
through tiny glass tubes. The transmission capacity of fiber cable is 26000 times higher than twisted
pair cable. Again the transmission of data through fiber optic cable is more reliable and lighter than

that of coaxial cables. The information in fiber cables are transmitted using beams of light at the
speed of light and not in the form of pulses of electricity (Guttadauro, 2017).
Advantages of Fiber optics cables
It can be bundled with one another.
It is resistant to electromagnetic interference.
It also works well over long distance.
Disadvantages of fiber optics cables
This cables are much expensive than coaxial and UTP cables.
This are also relatively hard install.
This cables can be easily damaged or cut (FS.COM. 2013).
Comparison of Twisted Pair Cable vs Coaxial Cable vs Fiber Optic Cable
All three types of cables not only differs in their construction but also in their performance and
capacity. The comparison of these three cables can be done in terms of speed bandwidth, distance,
price, installation and application. Both the coaxial and UTP are made of copper based wires with
other materials in their surroundings. Both of the cables are used for transmitting electrical signals
such as that are telephone and television. Fiber optic cable can also transmit these signals with
much faster speed, wider bandwidth and higher frequencies. Generally fiber optic cables are
expensive as compared to copper cable because of high capacity and performance. However, the
price of all the three cables vary from market to market. Although, the optical fiber provides
benefits in terms of reliability and bandwidth it is not preferred much than coaxial and twisted pair
cables. The reason is the difficult installation and maintenance of fiber optical due to the thin and
fragile nature of fiber. Also the installation cost of the optical fiber is high because of the use of
optical components particularly transceivers. Among the twisted pair and coaxial cable the former
cost less as it comes with RJ45 connector than BNC connector. Also as the coaxial cable has
dielectric insulator around its core it becomes difficult to install and maintain them (Smith, 2013).
Below table summarizes the comparison of twisted pair cable vs coaxial cable vs fiber-optic cable

References:
Cabling Installation and maintenance. (2002). Horizontal Cabling Costs: Fiber vs. Copper
Calculations Retrieved from:
https://www.cablinginstall.com/connectivity/article/16465015/horizontal-cabling-costs-fiber-vs-
copper-calculations
FS.COM. (2013). Fiber Optic Cable vs Twisted Pair Cable vs Coaxial Cable Retrieved from:
http://www.fs.com/blog/the-difference-between-fiber-optic-cable-twisted-pair-and-
cable.html
Guttadauro, D. (2017). Choosing cabling for wireless systems. Wireless Design &
Development, 25(5), 6-6. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1965542396?
accountid=30552
Nelson, K. (2006, 10). Distributed intelligence -- wire, cable, and fiber extend budgets and content's
reach. Systems Contractor News, 13, 68. Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/201434998?accountid=30552
Smith, A. (2013). Routing switchers. Broadcast Engineering, 55(9), 10-13. Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1442512293?accountid=30552