Pros and Cons of Fiber Optics

Posted by freemexy on August 27th, 2019

Fiber optic communication has revolutionized the telecommunications industry. Unlike traditional transmission methods that send signals through metallic-based systems, fiber optics are not electrical in nature. The transmission device generates a light signal, which the fiber cable carries to a receiver. The fiber optic thread is not an active source that generates electricity.Indoor optical fiber cable

Fiber optic connections don’t degrade over distance, unlike cable broadband and DSL, allowing for consistent premium data transfer speeds. However, fiber optic connections also come with some limitations. Their high performance is pricey, cost of such service does limit range. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic communication networks.

Pros of Fiber Optics
1) Connection Quality: Fiber optics are resistant to electromagnetic interference and have a low rate of bit error. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a disturbance caused by electromagnetic radiation from an external source. This disturbance can interrupt or degrade the performance of a conventional metallic cable connection. Any object that carries electrical currents can create interference, such as power lines or even the sun. Fiber optics are also resistant to corrosion.

2) Scalability: Fiber optics are more scalable, as it’s simple to install new equipment can over original fiber. Wavelengths can be turned on or off on demand, which allows for the easy provisioning of services and quick scaling for a growing business. Optical fibers are also much smaller and lighter than copper wiring. These fibers can typically be placed in preparation for growth needs up to 15 to 20 years in the future. Alternatively, additional cables can be installed later to make way for network expansion.

3) Security: Security is a major concern for today’s businesses. Fiber optics do not radiate signals, so there is no way to listen in on the transmissions passing through. Breaches are also easy to identify as soon as they occur, as any physical break in the system will cause a total system failure. Instead of hardware in several locations, fiber optic networks allow you to keep hardware in one location. This makes regulation and maintenance much simpler.

4) Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness: Long term, fiber optic networks do not require the same overhead as copper networks. Fiber optic networks are more expensive upfront. However, the capacity for scalability long-term outweighs the initial investment. As the popularity of fiber optics grows, we are likely to see a decrease in cost over time.