What are the two basic types of cabling used in telecommunications?

The two basic types of cabling used in telecommunications are copper and fiber optic cabling. Copper cabling has been a fundamental component in telecommunications for many years, facilitating the transmission of electrical signals. It is commonly used for applications like telephone lines and broadband internet. On the other hand, fiber optic cabling uses light to transmit signals, offering higher bandwidth and faster data transfer rates over longer distances compared to copper.

Fiber optic cables are particularly advantageous in modern networks where high-speed and high-capacity data transmission is essential. They are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for environments where such interference might be a concern. Together, copper and fiber optic cabling represent the backbone of most telecommunications infrastructures, supporting a wide range of applications from basic voice service to advanced digital data transmission systems.