Fiber Type and Count: Single-mode fiber typically costs $0. What Is the Cost of Fiber Optic Cables? Fiber-optic cable pricing depends on whether you're purchasing materials alone or including complete installation. 52 per foot for wholesale bulk purchases, or $1 to $6 per foot at retail. This guide presents cost ranges in. Choosing between single-mode (SMF/OS2) and multimode (MMF/OM3–OM5) fiber is more than a cabling preference, it determines your reachable distance, optics cost, upgrade path, and even day-to-day operability (polarity, cleaning, testing). The differences are well known in theory, but real-world.