Fiber optic cables have many desirable characteristics. Because the fibers are small in diameter, a cable of a given size can contain more fibers than copper wire pairs. Because fiber optic cables use light pulses instead of electrical signals, they offer very high bandwidth. Because the signal in a fiber optic cable consists of light pulses, the signal cannot be affected by electromagnetic interference. Nor can the cables radiate radio frequency noise.
Optical fibers are, therefore, suitable for use in the noisiest and most sensitive environments.
Because these cables radiate no electromagnetic energy, it is impossible to intercept the data signal with electronic eavesdropping equipment. Fiber optic transmissions are extremely secure. Installation of fiber optic cable requires greater skill than is necessary to install most copper cables. Cables must not be bent too sharply, and connectors must be installed by skilled technicians using special tools. However, new connector technologies have simplified installation and reduced cost.