Fiber optic cable is an alternative to copper cable like CAT5/5e/6 for data transmission, using glass core fibers to transmit data through pulses of light rather than electric current. There are different types of fiber optic cables for indoor, outdoor, or indoor/outdoor use, using various protective coatings and fillings around the glass core to protect against environmental factors while minimizing signal loss. Proper cable selection depends on the intended installation location and environment.