Innovations include the development of photonic crystal fibers, which offer improved performance by manipulating light at the microstructural level. These fibers can achieve exceptionally high capacities, surpassing traditional fibers in terms of data transmission rates. In fact, fibers are made to not only transmit light but to glow along the fiber itself, so it resembles a neon light tube. Also, a single optical fiber can transmit signals over 60+ miles (100 kilometers), whereas attenuation – or signal degradation –. Fiber optics is much more expensive than wire. The light power going through a fiber optic cable diminishes over distance, and the amount of power available to the fiber optic cable is always (at least) 40% more than what the fiber optic cable captures. You still need an emitting fixture and light.