Fiber optic cable can be run anywhere from 300 meters up to 80 kilometers (roughly 50 miles) depending on the cable type, transceiver used, and network standard. One type of single mode fiber is known as “G. 652,” which is commonly used in telecommunications networks. 5 dB per kilometer at 1550nm, light absorption and scattering still accumulate over long spans. Chromatic dispersion, modal dispersion, mechanical stress, bending losses, connectivity issues, and other environmental factors further curtail distance. Knowing how distance affects signal makes a big difference when installing it for the internet at home, office networks, or data centers.