What is a primary characteristic of fiber optic cables compared to traditional copper cables?

Fiber optic cables are known for their ability to transmit data at significantly higher speeds and over much greater distances than traditional copper cables. This increased capacity for data transmission stems from the use of light as the medium for data transfer in fiber optics, as opposed to electrical signals in copper wires. Light can carry more information and does so with lower attenuation, allowing for a higher bandwidth and faster data rates.

Copper cables have limitations due to their conductive nature, which can introduce resistance and signal degradation over long distances. Fiber optics, therefore, provide an efficient solution for modern communication needs, particularly for high-volume data applications such as internet backbones, data centers, and telecommunication networks.

The other options describe characteristics of fiber optics that either do not hold true or are less favorable in comparison to copper cables. Therefore, the primary characteristic that sets fiber optic cables apart is indeed their higher capacity for data transmission.