Fiber optic cable has become the preferred choice for data transmission. Also known as optical fiber cable, it’s made of ultra-thin strands of glass. Each strand is about 8 microns in diameter. In comparison, a strand of human hair is about 80 microns in diameter. Fiber optic cable features bundles of these glass strands. Being that copper cable supports data transmission as well, you might be wondering why fiber optic has become the preferred choice.
Operates at the Speed of Light
It may sound like something out of a science-fiction novel, but fiber optic cables operate at nearly the speed of light. Fiber optic cable uses light pulses to represent data. Copper cable, on the other hand, uses electrical signals to represent data.
Because it operates at nearly the speed of light, fiber optic cable is faster than copper cable. It can transmit data more quickly. Google, for instance, offers an internet service consisting of a fiber optic cable network. Known as Google Fiber, it yields speeds up to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps).
Regarding speeds, there’s currently no substitution for fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cable offers the fastest download and upload speeds of all cable types. Its unparalleled speeds make it the preferred choice for data transmission.
Highly Secure
Not only is it fast, but fiber optic cable is secure as well. Security is important for data transmission. If a cable is breached, the data that it’s transmitting could be intercepted. Fortunately, fiber optic cable is known for being secure.
Fiber optic cable can’t be breached via taps like other types of cable. Attackers can typically only breach fiber cable at the ends. And breaching it will likely take the entire network or service offline. All fiber optic cable offers a high level of security, making it a popular choice for data transmission.
Weather Resistant
Another reason fiber optic cable is used for data transmission lies in its weather-resistant properties. Some cables will suffer from data loss when exposed to heat, cold or moisture. When used indoors, weather-related signal loss such as this typically isn’t a concern. But many data-transmission cables are installed outdoors where they are exposed to the elements.
Fiber optic cables are weather resistant, though. The data in fiber optic cables consists of light pulses. Even when exposed to the harsh outdoor environment, fiber optic cables will continue to work. Heat, cold or moisture won’t interfere with their light pulses.
