What is the maximum distance that typical multi-mode fiber can transmit signals effectively?

Typically, multi-mode fiber is designed for shorter distances compared to single-mode fiber. The effective transmission distance for multi-mode fiber is usually around 300 meters, which is suitable for various applications, including local area networks (LANs) and data centers that require high-speed data transmission over relatively short distances. Within this range, the fiber can maintain good signal quality without significant loss due to modal dispersion, which is a phenomenon that affects multi-mode fibers more than single-mode fibers.

In contrast, other options suggest much longer transmission distances, which are generally not achievable with standard multi-mode fiber without introducing significant signal degradation. These longer distances are typically characteristic of single-mode fibers, which can effectively transmit signals over several kilometers with minimal loss. Such a distinction between the two types of fibers is crucial for understanding their applications in networking and telecommunications contexts.