How do I select fiber cables for a new installation?

Fiber selection affects performance, upgrade path, and total cost of ownership.

First Decision: SMF vs MMF

• MMF: Cheaper modules, limited distance, older technology
• SMF: Slightly cheaper fiber, longer reach, future-proof

Modern Recommendation

For new installations, SMF is usually the better choice:

• Supports all speeds through 400G+
• Longer distances
• Module costs have converged with MMF
• Investment protection for decades

MMF Grade Selection

SMF Grade Selection

• OS1: Indoor tight-buffered
• OS2: Outdoor loose-tube, low water peak
• For most new installs, OS2 is recommended

Cable Construction Types

Indoor Cables

• Tight-buffered
• Riser or plenum-rated jackets
• Higher density, easier termination

Outdoor Cables

• Loose-tube with gel filling
• Armored options for direct burial
• UV-resistant jackets

Indoor/Outdoor

• Transitions from outdoor to indoor without splice
• Common in campus environments

Fiber Count Planning

• Plan for 3-5x current needs
• Additional fibers are cheap during install
• Adding fiber later is expensive
• Reserve strands for future services

Connector Selection

• LC for high-density modern
• SC for legacy or ruggedized
• MPO for parallel optics (40G/100G SR4)

Certification and Testing

• Optical loss measurements per link
• OTDR traces stored for reference
• Meet TIA-568 or ISO 11801 standards
• Vendor certification for insurance

Cost Elements

• Fiber itself: ~$1-2 per meter (24-strand)
• Termination: $10-30 per fiber
• Splicing: $50-100 per splice
• Testing and certification: 10-15% of total
• Labor: often the largest cost