What is the primary limitation of using coaxial cable for networking?

The choice indicating that coaxial cable has limited bandwidth compared to fiber-optics accurately identifies a significant limitation of coaxial cable. Coaxial cables, which consist of a copper core and an insulating layer covered by a conductive shield, have a maximum data transmission capacity that falls short when compared to fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optics utilize light to transmit data, allowing for dramatically higher bandwidth capabilities—often exceeding several terabits per second. This makes fiber-optic technology much better suited for modern high-speed networking demands, including extensive data transfer and streaming applications.

The bandwidth limitation of coaxial cables restricts the amount of data that can be transmitted simultaneously, which can lead to congestion in high-traffic situations and limit overall network performance. This characteristic is particularly relevant in environments where large volumes of data need to be transmitted quickly and reliably, hence making fiber-optic solutions more favorable for extensive networks, data centers, and telecommunications infrastructures.