Commonly Used Multimode Fiber Types

OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers are the most commonly used types in modern enterprise networks and data centers.

Overview of Multimode Fiber

Multimode fiber (MMF) is designed for short-distance communication, typically within buildings, campuses, or data centers. It has a larger core diameter (50 µm or 62. 5 µm) that allows multiple light modes to propagate simultaneously, enabling higher data throughput over short distances compared to single-mode fiber.

MM

F is cost-effective, easier to install, and widely used for local area networks (LANs) and high-speed data center connections. Fiber Types and UsageOM1: Core diameter 62. 5 µm, LED light source, orange jacket.

Mostly used in legacy networks for 100 Mbps Ethernet, capable of 1G up to 275 meters and 10G up to 33 meters. Rarely used in new installations. OM2: Core diameter 50 µm, LED light source, orange jacket.

Suitable for 1G Ethernet and limited 10G applications up to 82 meters. Still found in older infrastructures. OM3: Core diameter 50 µm, laser-optimized for VCSELs, aqua jacket.

Supports 10G Ethernet up to 300 meters, 40G/100G up to 100 meters. Commonly used in modern enterprise networks and data centers. OM4: Core diameter 50 µm, laser-optimized, aqua or violet jacket.

Higher modal bandwidth than OM3, supports 10G Ethernet up to 550 meters and 40G/100G up to 150 meters. Increasingly adopted for high-speed, high-density applications. OM5: Core diameter 50 µm, wideband multimode fiber (WBMMF), lime green jacket.

Backwards compatible with OM4, designed for short-wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM) to support multiple wavelengths over a single fiber. Adoption is growing but still less common than OM3/OM4.

Conclusion

For most modern installations, OM3 and OM4 fibers are the standard choice due to their compatibility with high-speed Ethernet (10G, 25G, 40G, 100G), cost-effectiveness, and widespread availability. OM1 and OM2 are largely legacy fibers, while OM5 is emerging for specialized high-bandwidth applications but is not yet as widely deployed.