Advantages of Fiber Optics
Why are fiber optic systems revolutionizing telecommunications? 

Compared to conventional metal wire (copper wire), optical fibers are :

• Thinner - optical fibers can be drawn to smaller diameters than copper wire.
• Higher carrying capacity - because optical fibers are thinner than copper wires, more fibers can be bundled into a given     diameter cable than copper wires. This allows more phone lines to go over the same cable or more channels to come through the cable into your cable TV box.
• Less signal degradation - the loss of signal in optical fiber is less than in copper wire.
• Light signals - unlike electrical signals in copper wires, light signals from one fiber do not interfere with those of other fibers in the same cable. This means clearer phone conversations or TV reception.
• Low power - because signals in optical fibers degrade less, lower power transmitters can be used instead of high voltage electrical transmitters for copper wires. Again, this saves your provider and you money.
• Digital signals - optical fibers are ideally suited for carrying digital information, especially useful in computer networks.
• Non-flammable - because no electricity is passed through optical fibers, there is no fire hazard.
• Lightweight - an optical cable weighs less than a comparable copper wire cable. Fiber optic cables take up less space in the ground.
• Flexible - because fiber optics are so flexible and can transmit and receive light, they are used in many flexible digital cameras for the following purposes:
  • medical imaging - in bronchoscopes, endoscopes, laparoscopes
  • mechanical imaging - inspecting mechanical welds in pipes and engines (in airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and cars)
  • plumbing - to inspect sewer lines

Source:  http://www.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic4.htm

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