CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which copper cable type is mainly used for cable television and cable Internet service?

1. Unshielded twisted pair

2. Coaxial cable

3. Fiber optic cable

4. Plenum cable

The correct answer is: Coaxial cable

Coaxial cable is primarily used for cable television and cable Internet service due to its ability to carry a wide bandwidth of data and provide high-quality transmission over long distances with minimal interference. The construction of coaxial cable includes a central conductor, an insulating layer, a shielding layer, and an outer insulating layer. This design allows coaxial cable to effectively minimize signal loss and protect the data from external electromagnetic interference, which is particularly important in environments where multiple signals are transmitted over varying distances. In contrast, unshielded twisted pair cables are more commonly used for telephone and data networking but can suffer from interference and are not suitable for the bandwidth requirements of cable television. Fiber optic cables, while offering even higher bandwidth capabilities and faster data transmission, are generally used for long-distance communication rather than for the last-mile connections that cable TV frequently relies upon. Plenum cables, designed for use in air-handling spaces, are more about safety standards for cable installations rather than specifically for transmitting television or internet signals.