Why haven't fiber optics replaced copper cabling (for now)?

Both copper and fiber optics have their advantages and unique characteristics. Copper has already existed in many places and it is cheap in network devices connection. However, with the dramatic reduction of cost of optical deployment, the future-proof fiber optic cable shows more advantages over copper and has a better prospect in the future market.

Copper

Copper cable is the cheapest, oldest and the most common form of transmission; it is 30% cheaper compared to the optical fiber cable and does not require specialized personnel to install and test the equipment, that means it has lower installation cost. Copper cable is reliable, fast and affordable among other properties:

-Conductivity: Copper is used as a primary medium for electricity transport.

-Corrosion resistance: By avoiding rust, copper remains effective overt time and it has a very high melting point-1.083 degrees centigrade.

-Malleability and ductility: It can be stretched, manipulated and shaped without losing its functionality.

No wonder why it has become the favorite material to use.

Fiber optic

One of the most beneficial advantages of it is the extremely wide bandwidth compared to the copper: although copper is perfectly adequate for a voice signal, it has very limited bandwidth. As an example, fiber provide over 1000 times as much bandwidth as copper and can travel 100 times further.

Using optical fibers helps to minimize attenuation in the system: when a signal travels along a transmission medium it naturally loses strength.  It is also worth saying that a single optical fiber can hold as much information as a large cable containing thousands of copper wires.

Fiber is much less susceptible to various environmental factors than copper cable such as temperature and electro magnetic fluctuations and can be submerged in water. Copper wires on the other hand, if not properly installed will produce electromagnetic currents that can interfere with other wires.

Fiber optic cable also keeps data more secure since it doesn’t transmit electricity, it doesn’t radiate signals and cannot be tapped. Not only that, but fiber cables are not fire hazard. Since fiber optic cables do not conduct electricity, they are safe from lightning strikes or electrical interference. Contrarily to the copper cable, which if damaged, can short-out completely or even cause a fire.

Conclusion

Even though copper still dominates most networks, there have been several advances in network technology during the past years

Fiber optic systems are already being used in the backbone applications of most major companies because of their reliability and upgradability and in the near future, a technique known as wavelength multiplexing will increase their capacity even more, by allowing multiple channels to run on a single fiber strand.

Fiber optic cable is superior to copper in almost every way. It is faster, carries higher bandwidth, has less interference, is lighter, stronger, more durable and undoubtedly the future.