mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet…
A user reports that their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet connection works but is slower than expected. The technician finds that the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) is connected to the router via a 100-meter Cat5e cable. What is the most likely issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume a 100-meter Cat5e cable exceeds the maximum length for 1 Gbps, when in fact Cat5e supports 1 Gbps up to exactly 100 meters, so the length is not the problem—the cable condition or termination is the more likely culprit.
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
✓
The Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination.
The most likely issue is a damaged or poorly terminated Cat5e cable. A 100-meter Cat5e cable is within the maximum length specification for 1 Gbps (100 meters), so the length alone is not the problem. However, a damaged cable or bad termination can cause excessive packet loss, CRC errors, or auto-negotiation failures, resulting in slower throughput even though the link appears to be up.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The ONT is malfunctioning.
Why it's wrong here
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is the device that converts fiber optic signals into electrical signals for the home network. If the ONT were truly malfunctioning, it would most likely result in a complete loss of internet connectivity, as it is the primary demarcation point for the FTTH service. Since the user reports an active connection, albeit a slow one, a total ONT malfunction is less probable than other issues.
- ✗
The Cat5e cable is too long for 1 Gbps.
Why it's wrong here
Category 5e (Cat5e) Ethernet cabling is designed to reliably support Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) speeds over distances up to 100 meters (328 feet). If the cable length were indeed exceeding this maximum specification, it could lead to significant signal degradation and reduced throughput. However, assuming the cable is within the standard 100-meter limit, its length alone would not be the cause of a slowdown.
- ✗
The router is not configured for the correct speed.
Why it's wrong here
While a router's configuration can impact network performance, such as Quality of Service (QoS) settings or incorrect duplex modes, it is less common for a router to be misconfigured in a way that specifically causes a slow but active connection from an FTTH service. Router speed settings typically auto-negotiate, and a misconfiguration is more likely to prevent a connection entirely or cause intermittent drops rather than consistent degradation.
- ✓
The Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination.
Why this is correct
A damaged Ethernet cable, such as one with kinks, nicks, or internal wire breaks, or a cable with improperly terminated RJ-45 connectors (e.g., incorrect wire pairing, loose pins), can introduce significant signal integrity issues. These flaws lead to increased packet loss, retransmissions, and ultimately a drastic reduction in effective throughput, even when the link lights indicate an active connection, manifesting as a slow internet experience.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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