Which type of fiber optic cable is commonly used for network installations?

The choice of single-mode fiber optic cable is often the preferred option for network installations due to its high capacity for long-distance data transmission. Single-mode fiber has a smaller core diameter, allowing only one mode of light to propagate through the fiber. This design minimizes modal dispersion, which is the spreading out of light pulses over distance, thereby enabling longer transmission distances and higher bandwidth than multimode fibers.

In practical applications, single-mode fiber can support data rates exceeding 100 Gbps over several kilometers, making it ideal for backbone installations and interbuilding connections in enterprise networks, telecommunication infrastructures, and especially in environments where long-distance connectivity is required.

Conversely, multimode fiber optic cables, while also used in installations, are typically limited to shorter distances due to the higher modal dispersion that occurs with multiple light paths within the larger core. Although multimode cables can effectively serve local and short-range applications, single-mode fiber is strategically chosen for its superior performance over long distances in network setups.

Other options — coaxial fiber cable and flat ribbon fiber optic cable — are not standard choices for primary network installations. Coaxial cable is primarily utilized for broadband internet and cable television, while flat ribbon fibers are more specialized for specific applications rather than general network installations.