At Empire Telecom, we often get asked whether having both fiber and coax connections from the same carrier can provide a reliable backup solution. The answer to this depends on some key factors. If your fiber and coax connections come from different carriers—for example, coax from Spectrum and fiber from Verizon—this conversation is straightforward: those two independent connections offer true redundancy, providing a strong safeguard against network failures.

But what happens when the same carrier provides both your fiber and coax connections? Let’s take a deeper look at whether this configuration offers the backup security you may need.

The Issue with Same-Carrier Fiber and Coax

When a single carrier, like Verizon, provides both fiber and coaxial connections to the same site, you may think this gives you a backup option—if one connection fails, the other will keep you online. However, this setup may not offer true redundancy for a few important reasons:

1. Shared Network Infrastructure:

When both the fiber and coax come from the same carrier, they often share parts of the same underlying infrastructure, such as the backbone network or distribution systems. If there’s a problem with the main infrastructure—like a fiber cut or a carrier-wide outage—both the fiber and coaxial connections could be affected, leaving you without internet access. This shared dependency can make it less reliable as a backup solution.

2. Carrier-Specific Outages:

Relying on the same provider for both connections means that any service disruptions—whether caused by carrier maintenance, network congestion, or larger technical issues—will likely impact both your fiber and coax services. Even though the physical connections are different, the same company managing them means you’re vulnerable to single points of failure within their network.

When Fiber and Coax from the Same Carrier Might Work

For certain use cases, having both fiber and coax connections from the same carrier could still serve as a partial backup, depending on your specific needs:

• Localized Failures: If the issue is specific to one connection type—say, a modem failure or damage to the coaxial line—having both connections could keep you online. But this would only protect you from very localized issues, not broader outages.

• Cost-Effective Backup: If your goal is to guard against small, local failures rather than complete redundancy, using the same carrier for fiber and coax might provide a more cost-effective solution than installing a completely separate system.

The Best Solution for True Redundancy

For businesses where continuous uptime is critical, we recommend a different approach: combining services from different carriers. For example, using coax from Spectrum and fiber from Verizon would give you real redundancy because each service relies on entirely separate networks. If one carrier experiences an outage, the other connection would still be available, ensuring you stay connected.

Conclusion

While having both fiber and coax from the same carrier might offer some protection against minor issues, it does not provide true redundancy. For critical applications, the best strategy is to choose two separate providers to guarantee a diverse and resilient backup plan.

At Empire Telecom, we’re here to help you find the right solution to fit your needs—whether it’s optimizing your current setup or ensuring you have the best redundancy plan in place. Contact us today to learn more about how we can keep your business connected at all times.

Need Better Internet at a Better Price?

If you’re looking for reliable internet service at a competitive price, Empire Telecom works with every major ISP in the nation to help you find the best solution. Whether you’re looking for fiber, coax, or a custom redundancy plan, we’ve got you covered.