16 Jan All about optical fibre cable and its role in today’s network

In the heart of the digital innovation era, the optical fibre cable has established itself as the most critical technological component of our civilisation. It is not simply a transmission medium; it is the nervous system that sustains the global economy, education, and entertainment. Understanding its operation and evolution is fundamental to grasping the future of telecommunications.

What is optical fibre cable? Composition and resistance 

An optical fibre cable is an extremely thin filament, similar to the thickness of a human hair, manufactured with dielectric materials such as glass (silica) or high-quality plastic. 

Unlike traditional copper cables, the composition of the optical fibre cable allows information to be transmitted via light pulses. Its internal structure consists of a core through which the light travels and a cladding that reflects it back towards the centre, ensuring the signal is not lost. Furthermore, these cables feature protective layers that grant them astonishing resistance to traction, moisture, and extreme pressure.

Glass vs. plastic fibre: the scope of performance 

It is common to hear about plastic optical fibre, but it is important to differentiate its uses. This type of fibre is primarily useful for very short distances, such as home networks or vehicle interiors, as its signal loss is higher. 

In contrast, the high-purity glass fibre we deploy at lyntia is what allows connectivity to travel thousands of kilometres with almost no degradation. It is this technology that makes it possible for our network to be the backbone of the internet in the Iberian Peninsula.

Unbeatable benefits of optical fibre cable 

The superiority of fibre over copper is not just a matter of speed, but of pure physics:

• Maximum physical speed: Information travels at the speed of light within the medium, allowing for near-instantaneous transmissions.
• Electromagnetic immunity: Unlike copper, optical fibre cables are not affected by lightning, industrial motors, or nearby electrical cables, guaranteeing a clean signal without interference.
• Near-infinite capacity: Thanks to multiplexing techniques, a single pair of fibres can carry the traffic of thousands of people browsing simultaneously.

lyntia and 2026 technological trends 

Looking towards 2026 technological trends, subsea connectivity is taking on a renewed prominence. Terrestrial infrastructure must go hand in hand with the great oceanic superhighways to ensure a resilient global network. 

A clear example of this progress is the project for the new subsea optical fibre cable between Spain and the USA, an infrastructure that reinforces Spain’s position as a strategic digital hub. At lyntia, we care for and deploy every kilometre of the network so that these major international milestones translate into robust, low-latency local connectivity.

Conclusion: lyntia’s role in tomorrow

The future of telecommunications depends on an infrastructure capable of supporting the growing demand for data driven by AI and 6G. Digital innovation does not stop, and the optical fibre cable continues to evolve to offer greater bandwidth and sustainability.

 At lyntia, our mission is to continue expanding and maintaining these threads of light throughout Spain, ensuring that every company and every user has the necessary foundation to thrive in a hyperconnected world.