For single-mode fiber (the type used in long-distance and high-speed networks), typical values under normal conditions are about 0. Under ideal conditions, those numbers drop to around 0. Attenuation in fiber optics is the gradual loss of light signal strength as it travels through a fiber cable. For speeds up to 200M, the light attenuation must be less than -25dBm. With light attenuation at -27dBm, speeds are limited to a maximum of 100M. This calculator helps you estimate the total attenuation (signal loss) in a fiber optic cable link. This can be due to a variety of factors: scattering and absorption, intrinsic loss, extrinsic loss, bending losses and more. If you don't know what kind of losses to expect in your system, you won't know how many other components.