Two fundamental mechanisms cause attenuation inside the fiber itself: absorption and scattering. These are intrinsic to the glass, meaning they exist even in a perfectly manufactured, perfectly installed fiber. Scattering is the bigger factor at the wavelengths most networks use. This can occur due to a variety of factors, such as the length of the fiber, the quality of the fiber and adapter. F iber optic networks rely on the efficient transmission of light signals to deliver high-speed data over long distances. Bend: When the fiber bends, some of the light in the fiber is. Attenuation, the reduction in signal strength, occurs due to a plethora of factors; understanding these can unveil the intricacies of optical fiber communication.