Plastic optical fiber (POF) is a transmission medium in which signals in the form of modulated light beams are transmitted over plastic optical fiber, rather than glass. Widely recognized for its use in signs and illuminated holiday decorations, POF is finding a larger market as a transmission medium for data communications due to recent developments in technology and applications.

Until recently, light sources didn’t exist to drive POF to its full potential. With the introduction of these higher speed light sources, such as those provided by Firecomms, POF is used in high-speed car and home networks. POF competes with copper wires, coaxial cables, glass optical fibers, and wireless, providing a high bandwidth, substantially lower installed cost, high tolerance to electromagnetic interference, easy termination, and light weight.