Choosing business internet comes down to three main technologies: fiber, cable and fixed wireless. Each one fits a different kind of business. Here is how they compare, in plain terms.
Quick comparison
| Fiber | Cable | Fixed wireless | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download speed | Very high | High | Medium to high |
| Upload speed | Same as download | Much lower than download | Medium |
| Reliability | Highest | Good, slows at peak hours | Good, no cable to cut |
| Shared with neighbors | No | Yes | Partly |
| Installation | Where fiber is built | Widely available | Fast, no digging |
| Best as | Main connection | Main connection | Main line or backup |
Fiber
Fiber sends data as light through glass strands. Its biggest advantage for business is symmetrical speed: uploads are as fast as downloads. That matters for video calls, cloud backups, sending large files and VoIP phones.
Fiber is also the most reliable wired option and the least affected by busy hours. If it is available at your address, it is usually the best main connection.
Cable
Cable internet runs over the same coaxial lines as cable TV. Download speeds are strong and it is widely available. The trade-off is upload speed, which is often a fraction of download, and bandwidth is shared with nearby users, so it can slow down at peak times.
Fixed wireless
Fixed wireless uses the cellular network (4G LTE or 5G) to bring internet to your building through a small receiver. There is no trenching, so it can be installed fast, even in places where fiber has not been built yet.
It also makes an excellent backup: because it does not use a cable in the ground, it stays up when wired lines are cut.
Which one fits your business
- Offices, medical, legal and anyone on video calls all day: fiber
- Restaurants and retail: fiber or cable as main, plus wireless backup for the POS
- New locations, trailers, job sites and pop-ups: fixed wireless
- Any business that cannot afford downtime: two connections on different paths
Find out what is available at your address
Availability changes street by street in San Antonio. Call 210-405-6109 or request a free connectivity review, and we will check fiber and wireless availability at your location and recommend the right mix.
See business internet and wireless options · AT&T Business Internet in San Antonio
