A: For most applications, the maximum distance of a single-mode cable is around 160 kilometers. Take the common OM2. Many factors decide the fiber cable distance, but the key factors include the below six aspects. Attenuation First is the attenuation of the optical fiber. For some. Fiber optic cable transmission distance is determined by two primary physical factors that affect signal quality as light travels through the fiber medium. Unlike traditional copper cables, fiber optic cables use light to transmit data, resulting in faster speeds and greater bandwidth capabilities. Whether deploying enterprise switches, telecom backbones, or data center links, engineers often assume that speed (1G, 2.