Cable for businesses is a type of broadband service that connects companies to the Internet using coaxial cables. It provides reliable speeds at a lower cost than many other options, making it a practical choice for everyday business activities.

In this article, we'll break down the following:

  • Why businesses should consider cable Internet service
  • How cable Internet service works
  • The speed and reliability you can expect
  • Types of businesses that might be interested in cable Internet service
  • How it compares to other Internet service options
  • How Meter can help manage it on your behalf

Compare cable Internet for businesses to other solutions

Here’s a quick look at how cable Internet compares with other popular options in speed, cost, and best-fit uses:

Internet Type

Typical
Speeds

Best Fit For

Availability

Reliability

Limitations

Cable
Internet

25 - 500 Mbps
(up to 1 Gbps
in some areas)

Small to mid-sized businesses with
moderate
Internet needs

Widely available
in urban and
suburban areas

Good, but can
be slow during
peak hours

Shared bandwidth can
lead to slowdowns at
peak times; may not be
ideal for high-upload
needs or large traffic
volumes

Fiber-optic
Internet

1 Gbps or higher,
symmetrical

Data-heavy businesses,
tech companies,
large offices needing
high-speed
reliable Internet

Limited, more
common in
urban areas; rural
availability varies

Highly reliable,
low latency 

Higher cost; may not be
available in all regions,
especially
rural areas

Dedicated
Leased
Lines

Custom, 
similar to
fiber

Large enterprises,
financial or healthcare
sectors needing
uninterrupted Internet

Widely available
but mostly in
larger markets

Extremely reliable due to private, unshared connection

High cost, not cost-
effective for smaller
businesses

DSL

1 - 50 Mbps

Small businesses with
minimal Internet needs,
rural locations

Widely available,
even in rural areas
due to phone lines

Reliable for basic use but limited in speed

Lower speeds;
struggles with data-heavy tasks like
video calls or
cloud services

‍

Why might a business prefer cable Internet service?

Businesses like cable Internet for its mix of the following three things—affordability, decent speeds, and broad availability.

Small to medium-sized companies find it’s a reliable choice that skips the high price tags of fiber-optic or leased lines. Thanks to existing coaxial infrastructure, cable is widely available in cities and suburbs, though speeds can dip during peak hours in busy areas.

For the cost, cable Internet generally handles daily tasks like:

  • Web browsing
  • Emails
  • Video calls
  • Cloud apps

In the end, it is seen as a practical, budget-friendly option for many.

How does cable Internet service work?

Cable Internet connects businesses to the Internet using coaxial cables—the same ones used for cable TV. A cable modem on-site does the work of turning these signals into Internet data for all your devices.

Since it’s a shared setup, businesses in the same area split the available bandwidth. When everyone’s online during peak hours, things can slow down a bit. Cable Internet often delivers a good mix of cost and performance, though companies that need top speeds all day might look at other options.

Typical speeds and reliability of cable Internet

Business cable Internet usually offers speeds from 25 to 500 Mbps, with gigabit speeds in some areas depending on the provider and where you live. These speeds handle essentials like browsing, email, video calls, and cloud use. Since it’s a shared connection, speeds can drop during busy times, and outages or maintenance can affect service. Fiber has stronger guarantees, but many businesses see cable Internet as a solid choice for the cost.

Who should consider cable Internet?

Cable Internet works well for businesses with steady but moderate Internet needs. Retail stores, hotels, small offices, and similar setups can get reliable speeds without splurging on fiber.

Retailers

For retail stores, cable Internet is a solid pick. It handles point-of-sale systems, inventory checks, and customer service tools. However, if your store has a huge influx of customers all using the Internet, you might feel the pinch with slower speeds at peak times.

Hospitality

Hotels and restaurants use cable Internet to provide guest Wi-Fi, manage reservations, and handle back-office tasks. Cable can manage these needs without breaking the bank on pricier fiber options, making it a good fit for small to mid-sized hospitality venues.

Professional service firms

Law offices, accounting firms, and consultancies rely on the Internet for file sharing, video calls, and cloud access. Cable Internet covers these needs with a mix of speed and affordability, delivering what’s needed without overspending.

Growing businesses

Cable Internet offers some flexibility for businesses on the rise, with options to upgrade speeds as you grow. However, it might feel restrictive if you need high upload speeds or must support heavy online traffic without slowdowns. For those expanding fast, cable can get you started, but know it has limits on scaling with heavy demands.

Types of cable Internet

Fiber-optic Internet

Fiber-optic Internet offers some of the fastest speeds, often reaching 1 Gbps or more, with equal upload and download rates. It’s ideal for data-heavy tasks like:

  • Video production
  • Large cloud apps
  • Online services

However, fiber usually costs more than cable and isn’t always available in rural areas. Its reliability and low latency make it a great option for companies that need constant, high-speed Internet.

Dedicated leased lines

Dedicated leased lines give businesses their own private, high-speed Internet—no sharing with the neighbors. That means none of the slowdowns you’d get with a shared connection.

While they cost more than cable or fiber, leased lines are popular in industries like finance and healthcare, where reliability is essential. Smaller businesses will find that cable Internet often gets the job done without the big price tag.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL typically runs slower, with speeds between 1 and 50 Mbps—a bit behind cable and fiber. Limited bandwidth, especially for uploads, makes it a tough choice for things like video calls or cloud work. But there is an upside.

DSL is super affordable, often the cheapest option, which makes it ideal for businesses with lighter Internet needs. It’s also widely available, even in rural areas, since it uses regular phone lines. While reliable for basic tasks, DSL’s slower speeds can struggle with data-heavy work. Businesses needing a bit more zip may need to turn to cable for faster, reasonably priced Internet.

Is cable Internet right for you?

Cable Internet is a solid choice if you’re after good speed without a sky-high price tag. It’s faster than DSL but friendlier on the wallet than fiber or leased lines, making it a practical option. If your business doesn't need lightning speeds or a private connection, then cable can keep things humming along with budget in check—no stress required.

What to look for in a business cable Internet provider

Ideal business cable Internet providers offer strong performance, ample support, and options suited to business demands. Key factors help identify the best match for both current needs and long-term growth.

Service-level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime and quick support

SLAs provide assurance of consistent Internet access with minimal downtime. Faster response times for issues help maintain smooth business operations.

Dedicated business support channels

Providers with business-focused support teams address connectivity issues quickly, especially during working hours. Specialized support often resolves problems faster than residential services.

Speed and bandwidth options with room for growth

Confirm that the provider offers speeds that suit current requirements. Scalable packages make it easy to increase bandwidth as your business expands.

Peak-time performance and bandwidth management

Speeds may dip during high-traffic hours due to cable’s shared nature. Business cable Internet providers with peak-time management tools keep performance steady throughout the day.

Built-in security features

Options like firewalls, VPN support, and DDoS protection often come with business Internet plans. These features protect your network without needing extra security services.

Regional coverage and service availability

Reliable service in your specific area is essential. Certain providers may have stronger infrastructure or better support in particular regions.

Compare pricing and bundled services for added value

Bundled options like business phone lines or managed Wi-Fi can reduce costs. These services simplify your tech needs, keeping everything with one provider.

Contract terms and flexibility

Some providers require long-term contracts, while others offer month-to-month plans. Flexible terms are useful if your business expects changes or growth.

Meter Connect to manage your cable Internet service

If you’re thinking about cable for businesses, Meter Connect has you covered with reliable Internet solutions tailored for different business needs. Whether you’re a small business just getting started or a growing company looking for more bandwidth, Meter Connect offers flexible plans that can scale as you do. Meter is committed to keeping your business connected and ready to grow, making adjustments to your Internet service as your needs shift.

For companies looking for a complete networking solution, there’s Meter’s Network as a Service (NaaS). Our NaaS solution takes care of everything—security, monitoring, optimization, and more. It’s best matched with reliable, high-performance connections like fiber-optic or dedicated lines, which offer the consistency that cable Internet sometimes can’t.

Ready to upgrade your business’s Internet? Contact Meter to learn about our cable Internet services, or explore the benefits of a fully managed network solution with Meter NaaS. Schedule a demo and see what’s possible!

Special thanks to 

 

for reviewing this post.

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