Fiber optic cable can be run anywhere from 300 meters up to 80 kilometers (roughly 50 miles) depending on the cable type, transceiver used, and network standard. Many factors decide the fiber cable distance, but the key factors include the below six aspects. Attenuation First is the attenuation of the optical fiber. For some. Fiber optic cable transmission distance is determined by two primary physical factors that affect signal quality as light travels through the fiber medium. Yet, one of the most practical questions network engineers, contractors, and IT managers continue to ask is: What are the real fibre.