Advantages of fibre optics:
Fibre-optic communications systems have a large bandwidth, e.g. 1 GHz. The bandwidth is the maximum rate at which information can be transmitted. It has the benefit of:
• Immunity to electromagnetic interference in electrically noisy situations.
• High security against 'tapping'.
• Much greater flexibility than the majority of waveguides.
• Low weight when compared with copper - 60 per cent less.
• Ability to resist vibration.
• Glass fibres have no fire risk.
• Inability to form unwanted earth loops.
• Inability to short-circuit adjacent filaments when fractured.
• High data capacity (>10Gbits/s with a single fibre).