What is the most significant disadvantage of using copper cabling for networking?

The most significant disadvantage of using copper cabling for networking is high attenuation over long distances. Copper cabling experiences signal loss or degradation as the distance increases, which can limit the effective range for network connections. This attenuation occurs because the electrical signals weaken as they travel through the copper material, making it less effective for long-distance communication compared to fiber optic cables. Fiber optics, for instance, use light signals that can travel much longer distances with minimal loss, making them a preferred choice in scenarios requiring extensive cabling.

Other factors, such as cost of installation and flexibility, may also influence the decision to use copper cabling, but they are not as critical a disadvantage as the issue of attenuation, especially in large-scale networking environments where long runs of cabling are necessary. Additionally, while copper can be susceptible to physical damage, this does not directly impact its ability to transmit data over long distances in the same fundamental way that attenuation does.