Multi-mode fiber is typically used for ____ distances.

Multi-mode fiber is typically used for ____ distances.

• A. Longer
• B. Medium
• C. Shorter
• D. Undefined

Answer: (C)

Light travels in many paths inside multimode fiber, so the different paths arrive at slightly different times. This modal dispersion spreads the signal as distance increases, which limits how much data you can push reliably over a given length. Because of this dispersion, multimode fiber is most cost-effective and practical for shorter runs, where the pulse spreading doesn’t overwhelm the signal. For longer distances, single-mode fiber is preferred to minimize dispersion and maintain higher data rates. So multimode fiber is typically used for shorter distances.

Light travels in many paths inside multimode fiber, so the different paths arrive at slightly different times. This modal dispersion spreads the signal as distance increases, which limits how much data you can push reliably over a given length. Because of this dispersion, multimode fiber is most cost-effective and practical for shorter runs, where the pulse spreading doesn’t overwhelm the signal. For longer distances, single-mode fiber is preferred to minimize dispersion and maintain higher data rates. So multimode fiber is typically used for shorter distances.