hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: Moving to a new building that has no existing…
A company is moving to a new building that has no existing internet infrastructure. They need the highest possible download speeds with low latency for cloud applications. Which connection type should they choose?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse 'high speed' with 'best for cloud apps' and pick cable or fixed wireless due to marketing speeds, ignoring the critical factors of latency consistency and symmetrical bandwidth that fiber uniquely provides.
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 uses light pulses transmitted through glass or plastic strands, offering symmetrical gigabit speeds (e.g., 1 Gbps or higher) with extremely low latency (often <5 ms). This makes it ideal for cloud applications requiring high download speeds and real-time responsiveness, unlike older copper-based or wireless technologies.
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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DSL
Why it's wrong here
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) utilizes existing copper telephone lines to transmit data, which inherently limits its maximum achievable speeds and introduces higher latency compared to fiber-based solutions. Its performance degrades significantly with increased distance from the central office, making it unsuitable for the high-bandwidth, low-latency demands of modern cloud applications and large-scale business operations. This technology is generally considered legacy for enterprise environments.
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Cable
Why it's wrong here
Cable internet, delivered over coaxial cables, operates on a shared network topology where bandwidth is distributed among multiple users in a service area. While offering decent peak speeds, this shared nature means performance, including latency and throughput, can degrade significantly during peak usage times due to network congestion. This variability and higher latency make it less ideal for critical business applications that require consistent, low-latency access to cloud resources.
- ✗
Fixed wireless
Why it's wrong here
Fixed wireless internet relies on radio signals transmitted between a base station and a fixed antenna at the customer's location, often requiring a clear line of sight. While it can provide moderate speeds, its performance is highly susceptible to environmental factors such as weather conditions (rain, fog), physical obstructions, and electromagnetic interference. These vulnerabilities lead to inconsistent speeds and higher, less predictable latency, making it a less reliable choice for demanding business and cloud application needs.
- ✓
Fiber optic
Why this is correct
Fiber optic internet transmits data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass or plastic, offering unparalleled bandwidth capacity and extremely low latency. This technology is immune to electromagnetic interference and does not suffer from signal degradation over long distances, ensuring consistent, high-speed, and reliable connectivity. Its superior performance characteristics make it the optimal choice for businesses heavily reliant on cloud applications, large data transfers, and real-time communication.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Internet Connection Types
Key term
Infrared
Infrared (IR) is a type of wireless communication that uses light waves just below visible red light to send data or control devices over short distances.
Key term
Latency
Latency is the time delay between a request being sent over a network and the response being received, often measured in milliseconds.
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JA
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.