Whether you’re thinking of upgrading your network or are just going to install new network cables, there are two types of cables you can choose from, i.e., copper and fiber optics. Even though they have their advantages and disadvantages, both are in use depending on the application.
However, as the world has become hungrier for higher bandwidth, the demand for fiber optics has increased. Different companies and ICT professionals are now contacting fiber optic cable suppliers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to have fast, more reliable broadband.
On this note, let’s discuss some benefits that using optic fiber will provide you with in comparison to copper wires.
Faster Speed
As optic fiber makes use of light for transmitting, the data is transmitted using photons. Copper cables, on the other hand, use electric signals for the same purpose. Thus, the data is transmitted using electrons. Photons travel at the speed of light, and electrons’ speed is almost 1% less than that. Even though practically optic fiber cables don’t actually reach the speed of light, they’re way faster than copper cables. In reality, fibers transmit at a speed of 31% slower than the speed of light and don’t have any distance hindrance.
Increased Bandwidth
Copper wires are perfect for voice signals, but they have limited bandwidth when it comes to transmitting data. At the same time, optic fibers can easily transmit data from 10 Gbps and beyond. Optical fibers can link over 1000 times bandwidth as much as copper and travel 100 times longer as well. For instance, a typical bandwidth distance for a multimode fiber is 500 MHz/km, so a 500m cable can transmit 1 GHz easily. Moreover, the signal loss within 500m distance is negligible, whereas copper’s signal loss is very high.
Coverage to Longer Distances
Optic fibers can transmit the signal to longer distances. They don’t have any restriction, unlike the 328-foot limitation of copper cables. For instance, you can easily transfer 10Gbps using a single-mode fiber cable for up to 25 miles easily. The amount of distance a fiber cable can cover depends on its type, wavelength and network.
Thin Yet Sturdy
Unlike traditional copper cables, optic fibers are relatively thinner and lighter in weight. Despite this fact, they can withstand more pressure than copper cables. They are less prone to damage and are very sturdy.
Inherently Safe & Secure
As no electricity is involved in transmitting data via optic fiber, they are quite safe to handle. Moreover, fiber cables don’t emit signals, so connecting taps to it for intercepting data is extremely difficult. Since signals travelling through a fiber cable are contained within each individual fiber strand, you need to cut it from the end of the cable to access it. However, doing so will take the network down. This way, it’s easy to know that someone is trying to breach into the network.
Immune to Water and Temperature Fluctuations
Harsh weather conditions and even an influx of water have no impact on the health of fiber optics. Whether it’s a rainstorm or thunderstorm, fiber optics aren’t affected by them and the communication goes on as usual. Even if lightning strikes optic fibers, it won’t be affected as they don’t contain any metal components.
These factors make optical fibers ideal for harsh weather conditions and because of this reason, they’re used outdoors and in rugged terrains. Likewise, for underwater transmissions, optic fibers are the ideal choice as they’re immune to moisture too.
Unaffected by EMI
If network cables are placed near electronic cables carrying electric current, crosstalk between cables starts causing performance issues and interruption in data transmission. However, unlike copper cables, fiber optics don’t generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and they don’t get affected by EMI. Therefore, you can tension-freely use fiber optics anywhere like led display unit ng to worry about losing transmission quality.
Highly Reliable
Optic fiber cables are immune to temperature and weather conditions. This makes them highly reliable for transmitting data. On the contrary, copper is greatly affected by temperature and weather conditions changes, and data transmission gets affected. Similarly, the immunity of optic fiber to EMI fluctuations further adds to its reliability. Optic fibers also don’t present a fire hazard like old and worn-out copper cables do.
In all, if you want to improve the infrastructure of your business, it’s imperative that you switch to fibre optics network if you haven’t done it yet. Other than that, pay attention to your company’s power back as well. You should have a generator and UPS to ensure there’s uninterrupted power supply. For the latter, get in touch with the best UPS suppliers in Abu Dhabi. Generators, too, must be purchased from reliable and reputable resources.
