Fiber vs. cable: why the connection type matters more than the speed number

Download speed is the number every provider leads with, but it only tells part of the story. Latency, jitter, and how a connection behaves once dozens of devices are competing for it matter just as much for day-to-day use.

Fiber carries data as light rather than electrical signal, which is why it holds its rated speed more consistently under load and over distance than copper-based cable connections.

For homes running video calls, gaming, and streaming at the same time, that consistency — not just the headline number — is usually what separates a connection that feels fast from one that just tests fast.