While routers, switches, and transceivers often have upgrade cycles of 3 to 5 years, properly installed and maintained fiber cabling systems can last 15 years or more — spanning multiple hardware generations. The lifespan of fiber optic cables can significantly impact the efficiency and reliability of our internet connections. But ask any veteran network engineer, and they will tell you a different story. Others, installed in the 1990s, are still running. Q1: How long do fiber optic products typically last? With proper maintenance, fiber optic cables can last 20–30 years, though their performance may degrade over time due to environmental factors or wear (18).