Advantages of fiber optics over copper

1. Much higher bandwidth — supports data rates from Gbps into the Tbps range, far beyond copper's practical limits.
2. Lower attenuation — signals travel tens of kilometers before needing regeneration, versus ~100 m for copper Ethernet.
3. Immunity to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk — since it carries light, not current, it's unaffected by nearby electrical noise or other cables.
4. Better security — tapping a fiber without detection (via measurable signal loss) is far harder than tapping copper.
5. Lighter and thinner — easier to route through conduits, especially for high-density cabling.
6. No electrical/spark hazard — safe for use in flammable or electrically noisy industrial environments.

Downsides of fiber optics over copper

1. Higher cost — both cable and the optical transceivers (transmitters/receivers) are more expensive than copper equivalents.
2. Installation complexity — splicing and terminating fiber requires precision tools and trained technicians; copper (especially UTP with RJ-45) is far simpler to terminate.
3. Fragility — glass fiber can crack or break if bent too sharply, unlike more flexible copper wire.
4. No power delivery — fiber can't carry electrical power (unlike copper, which supports Power over Ethernet for devices like IP cameras or APs).
5. Harder/costlier to repair — a break requires specialized fusion splicing equipment, whereas copper can often be re-terminated with basic tools.

Overall, fiber wins decisively on performance and distance, but copper remains preferable for cost-sensitive, short-distance, or power-over-cable scenarios.