Why copper wire has not been completely replaced by optical fiber

Although optical fiber technology has been around for decades, copper wire is still widely used in many networking applications. There are several reasons why copper wire has not been completely replaced by optical fiber:

1. Cost: Copper wire is generally cheaper to install and maintain than optical fiber. This makes it a more practical choice for smaller networks or those with lower bandwidth requirements.
2. Compatibility: Many existing networks are designed to use copper wire, and upgrading to optical fiber can require significant investment in new equipment and infrastructure.
3. Distance limitations: While optical fiber can transmit signals over longer distances than copper wire, it requires additional equipment to do so. In some cases, it may be more practical to use copper wire for shorter distances.
4. Environmental factors: Copper wire is less susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as moisture and temperature fluctuations than optical fiber. This can make it a more reliable choice in certain environments.
5. Power requirements: Copper wire can carry power as well as data, which can be useful in some applications such as Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is not possible with optical fiber, which requires separate power cables.

In summary, while optical fiber offers many advantages over copper wire, there are still many practical reasons why copper wire continues to be used in many networking applications.