For modern businesses, having a robust network infrastructure is crucial for supporting day-to-day operations and driving productivity.
While wireless connectivity has its place, installing high-quality network cabling provides the backbone of a reliable, high-performance wired network that businesses can depend on.
Compared to WiFi, network cables offer faster speeds, lower latency, enhanced security, greater scalability, and consistent connectivity for business-critical applications and equipment.
Though wireless access points are easier to install and allow more flexibility, network cables should be strongly considered by any growing business looking to future-proof their network infrastructure.
In this guide, we’ll lay out the advantages of network cabling for businesses.
Speed Advantages Of Network Cabling
Network cables are significantly faster than even the most advanced WiFi options available today.
For example, using Category 6 or 7 cables allows for speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.
In contrast, the fastest WiFi networks max out at about 9.6 gigabits per second, and that’s under ideal conditions.
In real-world situations, WiFi often performs at lower speeds due to issues like interference.
For businesses that need to transfer large files, hold high-quality video meetings, use voice-over-IP, or rely on cloud computing and remote data backups, this extra speed from wired networks is invaluable.
It’s a clear advantage that makes wired connections the better choice for high-demand business activities.
Further reading: Common types of network cabling.
Reliability Benefits Of Network Cabling
Network cables offer unmatched reliability compared to unpredictable wireless connections.
Physical cables don’t suffer from signal degradation over long distances, interference from appliances or building materials, network congestion, or weather disruptions.
Once installed correctly, ethernet cables provide low, consistent sub-millisecond latency and near-zero packet loss for uninterrupted data flows between connected devices.
This makes cables ideal for networking business-critical servers, point-of-sale systems, printers, IP phones, and desktop PCs that require unwavering uptime and stability.
Enhanced Security
The closed nature of wired networks makes sensitive business data traveling over ethernet cables far more secure than wireless transmissions.
Tapping into encrypted WiFi is difficult but feasible with the right equipment and proximity.
Intercepting data on a wired network cable is extremely challenging, especially if runs are enclosed in walls or ceilings.
For financial, healthcare, or technology firms handling large volumes of confidential data, utilizing cables to connect critical systems and workstations provides an added layer of physical security on top of encryption to minimize any risks of compromising sensitive information.
Greater Scalability Associated With Network Cabling
Expanding wired network capacity is easily accomplished by running additional cables to wherever more connectivity is needed.
Wireless networks inevitably face throughput limitations in large offices with many devices, exposing bandwidth constraints as businesses scale up.
The same category of cabling can often support faster ethernet standards like 2.5Gbps or even 10Gbps over short-distance runs. This provides straightforward upgrade paths to multiply available bandwidth.
Businesses can readily add more wired workstations, offices, and even entire buildings by deploying extra cables.
Consistent Connectivity With Network Cabling
Wired network performance remains highly consistent at all times, regardless of other environmental factors or changes to network demand.
Wireless networks are susceptible to dead zones, congestion during periods of heavy usage, and varying levels of interference throughout the day, impacting reliability.
The cabling medium itself ensures consistent throughput and latency irrespective of external influences.
Network cables make connectivity to key infrastructure like servers and firewalls more dependable for constantly available access.
This uniform wired performance is crucial for business operations.
Potential Drawbacks Of Network Cabling
Despite the significant benefits, some potential drawbacks of cables versus wireless that businesses should consider include:
- Higher upfront installation costs, especially for large buildings
- Lack of flexibility if office layouts change
- Network changes require installing new cable runs
- Visible cable clutter without proper management
- Accessing hard-to-reach areas can be difficult
- However, these issues can be mitigated with intelligent network design and installation best practices tailored for the specific business environment.
Our Final Word
For growing businesses requiring high-performance wired connectivity, network cabling should play a foundational role when deploying technology infrastructure.
The speed, reliability, security, and scalability benefits make cabling an essential investment for supporting business-critical applications and connectivity needs as the business expands.
