Both types of cables can be used to carry video, audio, and other forms of data, and both can give you distinct advantages and disadvantages when setting up your network.
Deciding which is best for your situation depends on the distance of your connection and the amount of data you will be sending. Fiber optic cables can carry signals for miles before repeaters are needed. Signal loss is higher in coaxial cable, so it should be used for shorter distances. Fiber optic cables carry much more information and are more expensive. Fiber optic cables are used less frequently than coaxial cables in residential and consumer environments, but fiber optic networks continue to grow in networks around the world.
Coaxial cables are easy to install and very durable. Because fiber optic cables have higher and faster data transfer speeds than coaxial cables, they are best suited for professional networks or multi-dwelling units (MDUs), such as those in business parks, universities, or apartment complexes. If you're working on a home installation or a medium-capacity data transfer network, most people will opt for a coax installation.
Many companies today use cable connections for their business broadband services. The biggest disadvantage of wired internet is speed fluctuations. Looking again at fiber-optic internet versus cable internet, cable internet service is often shared among multiple users. This means that if there are a large number of users in a wired area running bandwidth-intensive applications using the internet at the same time, everyone's speed may vary between 100% and 25% of the promised speed.
Regarding the cost of fiber optic vs. coaxial cable, fiber optic generally has a higher upfront cost and longer service life. Once installed, fiber-optic dedicated internet access will also cost more than a shared wired internet connection. It's important to weigh your options before making this critical decision that will impact your network service for the foreseeable future.