Singlemode vs Multimode

Singlemode vs Multimode

Singlemode (SM) generally cost cheaper than multimode (MM). The main question that we will typically ask our customer if they don’t know which fiber optic cable type to choose from is:

  • What is the distance from one end to the other?
  • What is the bandwidth that they require?
  • Is it compatible with their equipment?

Once they are able to answer these questions, we’ll be able to determine what is suitable for their current situation. Singlemode core is 5-6 times smaller than MM. This causes SM to have less light reflection and allowing SM to travel much further distance while carrying higher bandwidth. MM large core causes more light reflection and degrades over distance. An advance MM has is the ability to pass more data at a shorter distance.