5G vs. Fiber: 4 Things Your Small Business Should Know

When you’re running your business, you’re relying on the internet to operate and having the right connection is imperative to providing a positive user experience for your customers and employees. Check out this guide to learn four key differences between 5G internet and fiber internet. 

 Before diving into the details, let’s define 5G and fiber.  
 
5G Internet

• 5G refers to the fifth generation of cellular network technology. This doesn’t mean 5 gigabit per second download speeds, which can sometimes be abbreviated as 5 Gbps or 5 gig. 
• This wireless technology uses cell towers to transmit data through radio waves. 
• Speed can be restricted depending on how many cellular customers are active on the cell towers. To meet increased demand, more sites would need to be constructed.  
• This technology is typically managed by mobile operators. 

 Fiber Internet 

• Fiber is a type of broadband connection that uses pulses of light to transmit data. 
• This technology uses wires, thin strands of glass or plastic called fiber-optic cables, that are laid in the ground and can go right to the door of homes and businesses.  
• To meet demand, upgrades and advancements can be made to the current fiber network to increase speeds and reduce downtime.   
• Providers can often offer dedicated fiber services to give even more security, speed and reliability to businesses. 
• This technology is typically managed by an internet service provider like Midco.  

As you look at your different internet options, the ultimate goal should be to have a consistent and stable internet connection. 
 
“We want our customers to have success, and it often starts with having the right connection,” shared Pao Lo, Vice President of Network Engineering at Midco.

Before you pick an internet solution for your small business, here are four things to consider when weighing your options.  

1. Latency 
A common definition for latency is the round-trip time it takes for data to travel between a sender and receiver.

• Fiber: Light signals travel through fiber-optic cables, which have a high bandwidth capacity, meaning they can transmit large volumes of data simultaneously.  
• 5G: While a 5G connection is delivered to a cell tower, the data eventually transmits through fiber in order to reach its desired destination, increasing the stops the data has to make along the way.

As data is being sent in each direction, there are network components between the connection. At each change, tiny delays, or hops, are introduced adding up to wait times for the user. 

Networks with a fast response time have low latency, while those with a longer delay have high latency. A low latency network is designed to reduce delays as much as possible. A provider’s latency impacts many daily functions of a business.

“Latency is an important measurement for businesses. Being able to transport data faster causing less interruptions and more uptime is essential for operations. Also, there are applications that businesses use that are latency sensitive,” informed Lo. 

2. Reliability 

Having reliable internet is about a stable and consistent connection that minimizes interruptions, improves uptime and ultimately ensures data is delivered on time, every time. 

• Fiber: The cable is either aerial or in the ground. If there’s an unexpected cut in one spot, traffic can be rerouted from another area so the whole network doesn’t go down, allowing customers to continue to work and avoid downtime. 
• 5G: Physical obstructions like buildings and trees can impact network reliability since the data is transmitted through radio waves. 

“Having fast products is great and necessary, but it’s often the ability to trust that these products are going to consistently work,” said Lo. “This has a much greater impact on a customer’s selection.”  
 

3. Bandwidth 

Bandwidth is the measurement of how much data travels to your location per second, also known as your internet speed. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). 
 

• Fiber: Data can travel the fastest with this technology because the information is transmitted as light pulses. Fiber can also carry more data over longer distances. 
• 5G: By transmitting data through air waves, 5G can only be licensed in so many spaces due to spectrum availability, regulatory requirements and infrastructure limitations. Therefore, the more customers who come online through the cell towers, the more congestion. 

Many factors, often outside one’s control, can impact speeds. Because of this, you’ll want to work with a provider who manages your internet needs from end to end.  

“At Midco, we focus on offering a set-it-and-forget-it solution for our customers. We take care of your connection so you can focus on what you do best, running your business and serving your customers,” expressed Lo. 

4. Security 

Everyone needs a connection that is secure and a partner with a network that will protect your data and keep it safe from cyberattacks. 

Both 5G and fiber internet can provide secure connections. The real security advantages come from the team you trust to manage your data and connection. Do some research first to see what each provider offers in terms of security and firewall options. Inquire if their protections are up to your standards.  
 
“If a customer wants more protection, Midco does have additional products that can be customized to their needs,” stated Lo. 
 
The structure of security services provided to customers is often dictated by the internet service provider. Some have baseline security measures that are included with internet services, where others choose to productize this service by charging additional fees. 
 
At Midco, advanced security is an included benefit for all internet customers as part of our commitment to keep them protected and connected at all times. This starts by continuously monitoring our connections and scrubbing our network data for security threats like distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and virus signatures. If a threat is detected, we immediately attend to it so there is no interference, allowing our customers to carry on with business as usual.  

“Our fiber network is operated and managed by Midco. Our customers can be confident knowing who is managing their precious data and information,” said Lo.  
 
Lo goes on to explain, “This means less equipment and handoffs because we control every inch of our network. Since Midco owns all these things, we can manage the quality of experience (QOE) for customers.” 

Bonus Consideration: Support 

When you experience issues with your internet connection you need help, fast. Knowing the type of support, where the support comes from, its availability and a provider’s reputation are all important factors when choosing your internet service provider. 
 
With Midco’s fiber internet, you get local support. Because Midco oversees every single mile of our network – our local, dedicated business customer support team is on the clock 24/7 to make sure our services are getting the job done for our customers. This means you can quickly connect with a Midco agent via phone or through our live chat or text to help you get back to business.