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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office is moving to a new location and…
A small office is moving to a new location and needs a dedicated, symmetrical internet connection with a guaranteed service level agreement (SLA). Which type of internet connection should be installed?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that 'broadband' implies high speed and reliability, but the trap here is that cable broadband is shared and asymmetrical, while fiber is the only option that provides dedicated, symmetrical speeds with a contractual SLA.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Fiber optic
Fiber optic connections provide dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth with the highest reliability and are the only option among these that typically offers a guaranteed SLA for uptime and performance. Unlike shared media (cable) or distance-limited technologies (DSL), fiber uses light signals over glass strands, ensuring consistent speeds and low latency that meet business-grade requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cable broadband
Why it's wrong here
Cable broadband utilizes a shared coaxial cable infrastructure, meaning bandwidth is contended among multiple users in a neighborhood, leading to variable speeds, especially during peak hours. It is inherently asymmetrical, offering significantly faster download speeds than upload speeds, which can hinder business operations requiring substantial outbound data transfer. Furthermore, consumer-grade cable services rarely include Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime or performance, making it unsuitable for businesses requiring consistent, reliable connectivity.
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DSL
Why it's wrong here
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology transmits data over existing copper telephone lines, making it highly susceptible to signal degradation over distance from the central office or local loop. This distance sensitivity directly impacts available bandwidth and reliability, often resulting in slower, less stable connections compared to other modern broadband options. Like cable, DSL is also asymmetrical, prioritizing download speeds, and business-grade SLAs are typically not available or are cost-prohibitive for the limited performance offered.
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Fiber optic
Why this is correct
Fiber optic internet transmits data as light pulses through glass strands, offering inherently high bandwidth, extremely low latency, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. For businesses, fiber connections are often provisioned as dedicated lines, ensuring symmetrical upload and download speeds that are crucial for cloud services, VoIP, and large data transfers. Crucially, fiber providers commonly offer robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with guaranteed uptime, performance metrics, and rapid response times, which are essential for business continuity and operational reliability.
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Satellite
Why it's wrong here
Satellite internet relies on geostationary or low-Earth orbit satellites, necessitating data travel over vast distances, which introduces significant latency (ping times) of several hundred milliseconds. This high latency severely impacts real-time applications like VoIP, video conferencing, and remote desktop access, making it impractical for most business operations. Additionally, satellite connections are susceptible to weather interference, offer relatively limited bandwidth, and do not typically come with the guaranteed performance or uptime assurances of an SLA.
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About these practice questions
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.