Prices of coaxial cables and optical fibers

Fiber optic cables cost between $0.09 and $6 per foot for materials, with installation raising total costs to $1–$16 per foot, while coaxial cables typically range from $0.10 to $1.50 per foot depending on type and shielding.Fiber Optic Cable Pricing

Material Costs:

• Single-mode fiber (OS2): $0.09–$1.52 per foot depending on strand count and jacket type. Bulk purchases reduce costs significantly. Single-mode is cheaper per foot than multimode but requires more expensive transceivers for long distances .
• Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4): $0.50–$6 per foot depending on strand count, jacket, and indoor/outdoor rating. OM3 is suitable for standard data centers, OM4 for high-speed applications .
• Armored or outdoor fiber: $0.50–$5 per foot for direct burial or harsh environments .
• High-count ribbon fiber (144+ strands): $2.20–$5.50 per foot for material alone . Installation Costs:
• Labor and installation can add $1–$12 per foot depending on complexity, trenching, aerial installation, or indoor routing .
• Typical total installed costs:
  • Indoor plenum/riser: $2–$5 per foot
  • Armored outdoor/direct burial: $4–$16 per foot
• Large projects benefit from bulk purchasing, existing conduit use, and pre-terminated assemblies to reduce labor costs . Factors Affecting Fiber Pricing:
• Fiber type (single-mode vs multimode)
• Strand count (higher counts increase cost)
• Jacket material and environmental rating (plenum, LSZH, armored)
• Installation method (aerial, trenching, directional boring)
• Regional labor rates and permits .

Coaxial Cable Pricing

Material Costs:

• RG6 (standard residential/indoor): $0.10–$0.50 per foot
• RG11 (longer runs, outdoor-rated): $0.40–$1.00 per foot
• Shielded or armored coax for harsh environments: $0.80–$1.50 per foot Installation Costs:
• Labor typically adds $0.50–$2 per foot depending on routing complexity and connectors
• Outdoor or underground runs may require conduit or trenching, increasing total cost Comparison:
• Fiber offers higher bandwidth, longer distances, and future-proofing but higher upfront costs
• Coax is cheaper for short runs and legacy cable TV or broadband applications but has limited speed and distance .

SummaryCable TypeMaterial Cost (per foot)Installed Cost (per foot)NotesSingle-mode fiber$0.09–$1.52$1.50–$5Long-distance, high-speed, lower material cost than multimodeMultimode fiber$0.50–$6$2–$16Shorter distances, higher material cost, cheaper transceiversArmored fiber$0.50–$5$4–$16Direct burial, harsh environmentsCoaxial RG6$0.10–$0.50$0.60–$2Residential/indoorCoaxial RG11$0.40–$1.00$1–$3Longer runs, outdoor-ratedShielded/armored coax$0.80–$1.50$1.50–$4Harsh environments

Key Takeaways:

• Fiber optic cables have higher upfront costs but offer longer lifespan (20–30 years), lower maintenance, and higher bandwidth .
• Coaxial cables are cost-effective for short-distance or legacy applications but are limited in speed and scalability.
• Bulk purchasing, pre-terminated assemblies, and strategic installation planning can significantly reduce fiber costs .