It's easier to future-proof a network with single mode fiber, even if it costs more upfront. It all depends on how your business runs and where it's headed. Although they can do the same job in some instances, the different construction methods make each of them better suited to certain tasks and budgets. That makes picking between single mode and multimode fiber optic cables an. Two of the most common cable types you'll hear about when implementing a fiber network are single mode and multimode fiber. This small diameter core, typically around 9 microns in diameter, allows only one. Single mode fiber is designed for long-distance communication, utilizing a smaller core diameter (typically 8 to 10 micrometers) that allows only one light mode to travel along the fiber. Transmission Wavelength Fiber optic transmission distance is.