OM4 multimode fiber can transmit up to 550 meters at 10 Gbps, 150 meters at 40 Gbps, and 100 meters at 100 Gbps.

Overview of OM4 Fiber

OM4 is a laser-optimized multimode fiber (50/125 µm) designed for high-speed data transmission in data centers and enterprise networks. It features a higher effective modal bandwidth (EMB) of 4700 MHz·km, nearly double that of OM3, which reduces modal dispersion and allows longer transmission distances at higher data rates . OM4 is optimized for VCSEL-based transceivers operating at 850 nm, making it ideal for 10G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet applications .

Maximum Transmission Distances

The maximum reach of OM4 fiber depends on the data rate and transceiver type:

• 10 Gbps (10GBASE-SR): up to 550 meters
• 40 Gbps (40GBASE-SR4): up to 150 meters
• 100 Gbps (100GBASE-SR4): up to 100 meters These distances assume clean, factory-terminated links with minimal splices and standard MPO/MTP connectors. The limiting factor is modal dispersion, not signal attenuation, meaning that higher data rates reduce the maximum distance roughly by half for each doubling of speed .

Comparison with OM3 Fiber

OM3 fiber, with an EMB of 2000 MHz·km, supports shorter distances at the same data rates:

• 10 Gbps: ~300 meters
• 40 Gbps: ~100 meters
• 100 Gbps: ~70 meters OM4's higher modal bandwidth allows it to extend reach by approximately 40–50% compared to OM3 at equivalent speeds, making it preferable for modern high-speed networks .

Practical Considerations

• Data center design: OM4 is ideal for large-scale installations where 40G or 100G Ethernet is deployed.
• Future-proofing: Its higher bandwidth supports potential upgrades to higher-speed optical networks.
• Installation factors: Connector quality, splices, and bends can reduce effective distance; real-world deployments may require accounting for 0.5–1 dB of additional loss per connector or bend . In summary, OM4 fiber provides longer transmission distances than OM3 for high-speed Ethernet, with 550 meters at 10G, 150 meters at 40G, and 100 meters at 100G, making it a robust choice for modern data center and enterprise network deployments .