Multimode Fiber Optic Classification and Price Table

Multimode fiber optic cables come in five main types—OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5—each with distinct core sizes, bandwidth, and distance capabilities, with prices ranging from $2. 50 to over $13 per foot depending on type and construction. Multimode Fiber Types and CharacteristicsOM1: Legacy 62.

5 µm core, orange jacket, LED light source, supports 10G Ethernet up to 33 meters, ideal for older 100 Mb/s networks. It is the most affordable option, typically $2. 50–$4.

00 per foot depending on indoor/outdoor or plenum/riser ratings. OM2: 50 µm core, LED source, supports 1G Ethernet and limited 10G applications up to 82 meters, also with an orange jacket. Slightly more expensive than OM1 but still cost-effective for short-range networks.

OM3: Laser-optimized 50 µm core, supports 10G/25G Ethernet over longer distances (up to 300 meters at 10G), typically used in modern enterprise and data center networks. Prices range $3. 28–$4.

50 per foot. OM4: Enhanced laser-optimized 50 µm core, supports higher bandwidth and longer distances (up to 550 meters at 10G), suitable for 40G/100G links. Standard pricing is $4.

50–$5. 50 per foot, with armored or specialized versions reaching $13. 50 per foot.

OM5: Wideband multimode fiber (WB-MMF), supports short-wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM) for 40G, 100G, and 400G applications, with modal bandwidth of 4700 MHz/km at 850 nm and 2470 MHz/km at 953 nm. OM5 is optimized for multi-wavelength transceivers but does not add value for standard 1G–100G links.

Factors Affecting Pricing

Fiber Type: Higher-performance fibers (OM4, OM5) cost more due to enhanced bandwidth and distance capabilities. Construction: Riser, plenum, or armored cables influence cost; plenum-rated cables are more expensive due to fire safety standards. Fiber Count: Multi-fiber cables increase material and installation costs.

Pre-

Terminated Assemblies: Factory-terminated cables reduce installation time but increase upfront cost. ApplicationsOM1/OM2: Short-distance, legacy networks, campus buildings, or older enterprise LANs. OM3/OM4: Modern data centers, high-speed enterprise networks, 10G–100G Ethernet links.

OM5: Future-proofing for high-bandwidth, multi-wavelength applications in hyperscale data centers. Understanding these specifications and pricing ranges helps in selecting the right multimode fiber for both budget and performance requirements, ensuring cost-effective and reliable network deployment.