As the cost of materials continues to go down, fiber optic cabling is becoming more and more cost efficient. In some applications today, it is actually less expensive to use optical fibers than to use metal wire alternatives. Combine this with the fact that fiber optic systems need little or no maintenance or upgrading, and it is clear that fiber has already surpassed the cost parity with copper. Considering the higher performance, capacity, and efficiency that fiber technology holds over traditional wire systems, it is quite clear that fiber optics have a higher cost efficiency than metal alternatives.