What is an advantage of fiber optic cables over copper cables?

Fiber optic cables have a significant advantage in their ability to transmit data over longer distances compared to copper cables. This is primarily due to the way data is transmitted through fiber optics - using light signals instead of electrical impulses. Light signals experience much less attenuation and can travel much greater distances without the need for repeaters or boosters.

This capability is crucial in settings where vast networks or long-distance telecommunications are involved, as it helps maintain high data integrity and speeds over lengthy runs. On the other hand, copper cables tend to degrade more rapidly over distance, leading to potential signal loss and the need for additional infrastructure to maintain performance, which can complicate installations and increase costs.

This inherent characteristic of fiber optics makes them especially beneficial for telecommunications companies and data centers, where long-range data transmission is essential, whereas copper's limitations become more pronounced in these contexts.