What is the primary disadvantage of using copper cabling compared to fiber optics?

The primary disadvantage of using copper cabling compared to fiber optics lies in the lower bandwidth and shorter transmission distance that copper can support. Copper cabling, particularly twisted pair and coaxial types, has inherent limitations in terms of the amount of data it can transmit simultaneously, which is critical as network demands increase.

Fiber optic cables, on the other hand, use light to transmit data and can handle much greater bandwidth, allowing for faster data rates and more simultaneous connections. Additionally, fiber optics can transmit signals over significantly longer distances without the need for repeaters, maintaining signal integrity much better than copper over long spans.

As a result, while copper may be sufficient for certain applications, it becomes a limiting factor in environments that require high-speed internet access and long-distance connections, making fiber optics the preferred choice for modern networking needs.