What type of cable is characterized as unbalanced?

Coaxial cable, often referred to as coax cable, is characterized as unbalanced. This type of cable consists of a central conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, which in turn is enclosed by a conductive shield. The unbalanced nature of coaxial cable arises from its design, where the central conductor carries the signal, while the shield serves as a ground reference. This design makes coaxial cable particularly effective in rejecting external electromagnetic interference, allowing it to maintain signal integrity over longer distances.

In contrast, twisted pair cables, which include both unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP), inherently have a balanced configuration due to the way their wires are twisted together. Fiber cables operate on optical signals rather than electrical signals, making them a completely different medium. Shielded cables may be designed to protect signal integrity, but they do not fall under the unbalanced category. Thus, coaxial cable stands out as the correct answer for this question.