Question

Compare any three characteristics of Co-axial and Fibre-optics cable.

Answer 1

Sr No.	Aspect	Co-axial Cable	Fibre-optics cable
1.	Medium of Transfer	Transmits data in the form of electrical signals through a central copper conductor.	Transmits data in the form of light pulses through a thin strand of glass or plastic.
2.	Bandwidth & Speed	Offers moderate bandwidth, typically supporting speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.	Offers extremely high bandwidth, supporting speeds from 1 Gbps to 100+ Gbps.
3.	EMI Resistance	Susceptible to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from nearby electrical devices or power lines.	Immune to EMI because it uses light (photons) rather than electricity to carry signals.
4.	Distance & Attenuation	High signal loss (attenuation) over long distances, requiring frequent repeaters.	Very low signal loss, allowing data to travel many kilometres without needing a repeater.
5.	Cost & Installation	Cheaper and easier to install/terminate due to its flexible and durable nature.	Expensive and complex to install; requires specialised tools and careful handling to avoid breaking the glass.