How many mkbs does a fiber optic cable multimode support

Multimode fiber optic cables support data rates ranging from 100 Mbps to 400 Gbps depending on the fiber type and distance.Overview of Multimode Fiber Types and SpeedsMultimode fibers (MMF) have larger core diameters (50–62.5 µm) that allow multiple light modes to propagate, making them suitable for short-distance, high-speed data transmission . The main types are OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5, each with different bandwidth and distance capabilities:OM1 (62.5 µm core, orange jacket): Typically supports 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps Ethernet over short distances, with 10 Gbps achievable only up to 33 meters .OM2 (50 µm core, orange jacket): Supports 1 Gbps Ethernet over longer distances and 10 Gbps up to 82 meters .OM3 (50 µm core, aqua jacket, laser-optimized): Supports 10 Gbps Ethernet up to 300 meters, and 40/100 Gbps up to 100 meters .OM4 (50 µm core, aqua jacket, enhanced laser-optimized): Supports 10 Gbps up to 550 meters, 40/100 Gbps up to 150 meters, and is backward compatible with OM3 .OM5 (50 µm core, lime green jacket, wideband multimode): Designed for shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM), supporting 40, 100, and 400 Gbps over fewer fibers, with a modal bandwidth of 28,000 MHz·km .Key ConsiderationsDistance vs. Speed: Higher data rates reduce the maximum transmission distance. For example, OM3 can handle 10 Gbps up to 300 meters, but 100 Gbps only up to 100 meters .Light Source: OM1 and OM2 typically use LEDs, while OM3, OM4, and OM5 use VCSEL lasers for higher speeds and longer distances .Applications: OM3, OM4, and OM5 are preferred in modern data centers due to their higher bandwidth and support for multi-gigabit Ethernet, while OM1 and OM2 are mostly found in legacy networks . In summary, multimode fiber can support from 100 Mbps on older OM1 fibers up to 400 Gbps on OM5 fibers, with the exact speed depending on fiber type, distance, and the optical equipment used .