Single-mode fiber (SMF) supports distances up to 40-100+ kilometers for standard applications, while multimode fiber (MMF) is typically limited to 300 meters to 2 kilometers. The actual distance depends on factors including fiber type, wavelength, network equipment, and signal. Fiber optic transmission distance varies based on fiber type, environmental conditions, and equipment selection. Key. Fiber-optic communication is a form of optical communication for transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses of infrared or visible light through an optical fiber. The light is a form of carrier wave that is modulated to carry information. Due to the small core, only one optical mode is allowed to be transmitted. Not surprisingly, this method was initially too difficult to use over longer distances due to the transmission.