1. Extremely wide system bandwidth: Fiber systems have greater capacity due to the inherently larger BWs available with optical frequencies. Metallic cables exhibit capacitance between and inductance along their conductors. These properties cause them to act as low pass filters which limit their transmission frequencies and hence bandwidths.

2. Immunity to electromagnetic interference:

Fiber cables are immune to static interference caused by lightning, electric motors, fluorescent light and other external electrical noise sources. This immunity is due to the fact that optical fibers are non-conductors of electricity. Also fiber cables do not radiate RF energy and therefore cannot cause interference with other communication system.

3. Virtual elimination of crosstalk: The light on one glass fiber does not interfere with light on an adjacent fiber. Fiber systems are immune to cross talk between cables caused by magnetic induction. Glass or plastic fibers are non-conductors of electricity and therefore do not have a magnetic field associated with them. In metallic cables, the primary cause of cross talk is magnetic induction between conductors located near each other.

4. Lower signal attenuation than other propagation systems: Typically attenuation figure of a 1GHz BW signal for optical fibers are 0.03dB per 100 feet compared to 4dB for both coax and an X band waveguide. So, fewer repeater stations are needed as a result of glass fiber.

5. Substantially lighter weight and smaller size: Fibers are smaller and much lighter in weight than their metallic counterparts. Fiber cables require less storage space and are cheaper to transport.

6. More resistive to environmental extremes and non-corrosiveness: Fiber cables operate over a larger temperature variation than their metallic counterparts and fiber cable are affected less by corrosive liquids and gases. Fibers are used around volatile liquids and gases without worrying about their causing explosions.

7. Lower cost: The long term cost of fiber optics system is projected to be less than that of its metallic counterpart as the cost of copper is increasing.

8. Conservation of the earth’s resources: The supply of copper and other good electrical conductors is limited whereas the principal ingredient of glass is sand and it is cheap and in unlimited supply

9. Security: Fiber cables are more secure than their metallic counterparts. It is virtually impossible to tap into a fiber cable without the user knowing about it.

10. Safety: In many wired systems, the potential hazard of short circuits requires precautionary designs. Additionally, the dielectric nature of optical fiber eliminates the spark hazard.