Cable Services vs Fixed Wireless vs Fiber: The Fastest Way to Find the Best Deal Near You

Quick Facts | 2026

Technology	Speed Range	Monthly Cost	Availability
Fiber	100–8,000 Mbps	$45–$155	Limited/Metro
Cable	50–2,000 Mbps	$20–$120	Widespread
Fixed Wireless	72–245 Mbps	$50–$70	Nationwide

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Section 01 / Understanding Your Options

Three main technologies. Different infrastructure. Different results.

Fiber

• Glass cables
• Light signals
• Symmetrical upload/download
• Top speed: 8 Gbps
• Best for: Heavy users, remote workers, gamers

Cable

• Coaxial cables
• Electrical signals
• Asymmetrical speeds (download > upload)
• Top speed: 2,000 Mbps
• Best for: Most households, streaming, general use

Fixed Wireless (5G)

• Radio signals
• Tower-based
• No physical connection required
• Top speed: ~245 Mbps
• Best for: Rural areas, budget-conscious users

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Section 02 / Speed Breakdown

Download Speeds

Provider Type	Min	Max	Avg
Fiber	100 Mbps	8,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Cable	50 Mbps	2,000 Mbps	300 Mbps
Fixed Wireless	72 Mbps	245 Mbps	150 Mbps

Upload Speeds

Fiber: Symmetrical. Upload = Download.

Cable: Typically 10-35 Mbps. Limited by technology.

Fixed Wireless: Variable. 10-50 Mbps typical.

What You Actually Need

Activity	Required Speed
Email/Browsing	5-10 Mbps
HD Streaming	25 Mbps
4K Streaming	50 Mbps
Video Calls	10-25 Mbps
Online Gaming	25-50 Mbps
Multiple Users (4+)	100+ Mbps
Remote Work/Upload Heavy	100+ Mbps (Symmetrical)

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Section 03 / Cost Analysis

Monthly Pricing Tiers

Entry Level ($20-$50/month)

• Fixed Wireless: T-Mobile 5G → $50-$70
• Cable: Spectrum → $24.99 starting
• Cable: Xfinity → $20 starting

Mid-Range ($50-$100/month)

• Cable: Spectrum → Up to $79.99
• Fiber: AT&T → $45-$95
• Cable: Xfinity → Up to $120

Premium ($100+/month)

• Fiber: Google Fiber → $70-$150
• Fiber: AT&T → Up to $155

Hidden Costs

Fee Type	Cable	Fiber	Fixed Wireless
Equipment Rental	$10-$15/mo	$0-$10/mo	$0
Installation	$0-$100	$0-$100	$0
Early Termination	$50-$200	$0-$200	$0
Data Overage	Varies	Rare	Rare

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Section 04 / Availability Check

Step-by-Step

1. Enter address → Provider website
2. Check fiber first
3. Check cable second
4. Check fixed wireless third
5. Compare available options
6. Request Quote

Coverage by Area Type

Urban/Metro

• Fiber: High availability
• Cable: High availability
• Fixed Wireless: High availability

Suburban

• Fiber: Moderate availability
• Cable: High availability
• Fixed Wireless: High availability

Rural

• Fiber: Low availability
• Cable: Moderate availability
• Fixed Wireless: Moderate-High availability

Pacific Northwest Availability

Connectnw serves multiple areas with various internet service options.

Location	Services Available
Bellingham, WA	Internet / TV / Security
Oak Harbor, WA	Internet / TV / Security
Fort Collins, CO	Services

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Section 05 / Technology Deep Dive

Fiber Optic

Infrastructure:

• Glass/plastic strands
• Light transmission
• Underground/aerial installation

Pros:

• Fastest available
• Symmetrical speeds
• Low latency (1-10ms)
• Future-proof
• Weather-resistant signal

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Higher installation complexity
• May require construction

Cable Internet

Infrastructure:

• Coaxial copper cables
• Electrical transmission
• Existing TV infrastructure

Pros:

• Widespread availability
• Fast download speeds
• Established infrastructure
• Bundling options with TV service

Cons:

• Slower upload speeds
• Network congestion during peak hours
• Speed degradation over distance

Fixed Wireless / 5G Home

Infrastructure:

• Cellular towers
• Radio frequencies
• Indoor/outdoor receivers

Pros:

• No cables required
• Quick installation
• No contracts (typically)
• Good rural option

Cons:

• Speed limitations
• Weather interference
• Line-of-sight requirements
• Tower distance dependency

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Section 06 / Decision Matrix

Priority: Speed

Recommendation: Fiber

Rank	Technology	Why
1	Fiber	8,000 Mbps potential
2	Cable	2,000 Mbps potential
3	Fixed Wireless	245 Mbps max

Priority: Price

Recommendation: Fixed Wireless or Entry Cable

Rank	Technology	Starting Price
1	Cable	$20/mo
2	Fixed Wireless	$50/mo
3	Fiber	$45/mo

Priority: Reliability

Recommendation: Fiber

Rank	Technology	Uptime
1	Fiber	99.9%+
2	Cable	99%+
3	Fixed Wireless	98%+

Priority: Availability

Recommendation: Check Local Options

Fixed Wireless → Most accessible nationwide

Cable → Second most accessible

Fiber → Limited metro areas

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Section 07 / Bundling Options

Combining services = potential savings.

Common Bundles

Bundle Type	Typical Savings
Internet + TV	$10-$30/mo
Internet + Phone	$5-$15/mo
Internet + TV + Phone	$20-$50/mo
Internet + Security	$10-$25/mo

Connectnw Bundle Options

• DIRECTV Stream
• Home Phone Service
• Home Security
• EarthLink Hyperlink Internet

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Section 08 / Final Comparison

Factor	Fiber	Cable	Fixed Wireless
Max Speed	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆
Upload Speed	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	★★☆☆☆
Availability	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Price	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Reliability	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Latency	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Installation	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★

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Action Items

1. Check availability at your address
2. Identify priority (speed/price/reliability)
3. Compare available providers
4. Review contract terms
5. Check for promotional pricing end dates
6. Calculate total cost including fees

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Next Step

Request Quote

Check Technology News for updates.

Questions → Contact Connectnw

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Last Updated: 2026-01-22T08:38:00-08:00

Location-specific availability varies. Speeds advertised represent maximum potential. Actual speeds depend on infrastructure, network conditions, and equipment.