What is the better transmission meduim in LTE?

Dear Al_amery.

The transmission speed and stability of optical fiber are good, but the installation method of optical fiber is easily limited by environmental factors, and the cost is relatively high. Microwave transmission is easily affected by weather or obstructions. But microwave installation is simpler and cheaper.

Thanks.

Hi Al_amery!

They are 'different kung fu' altogether: 

• Optical, is more stable but require digging, trenching, ducting - which takes more time to realize. 

• Microwave, is more flexible to setup - but require site clearance, spectrum clearance, line of sight. 

A common practise in commercial environment: start with microwave first for shorter installation time to win customer base; earn revenue and see how it is used, then decide to migrate to fiber. The microwave kit can then become 'backup' link or... to be deinstalled and reused for connecting to another location (new market / new business).

undoutedly optical fiber. however, one hop to fiber from MW would also be fine for some cases.