Single mode and multimode fiber differ in how light travels: single mode uses a narrow core and a single laser signal for long-distance, high-bandwidth performance, while multimode uses a larger core and multiple LED signals that excel over shorter runs. There are two main types of fiber optic cables: single mode and multimode. 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. The performance of the transmission, including speed and distance. Optical Fiber Cables are based on the idea that light can be confined within a bent glass rod by total internal reflection. Nowadays, optical fibers are used in carrying telephone, television, and computer signals from one place to another.