British embassies in Europe are to be connected to a new long-distance communication link - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 8

Optic Fibre

Advantages:

• Physical Properties: Optic fibre is lighter and thinner than copper cables, allowing for easier installation and reduced weight on cables.
• Ability to Reject External Interference: Optic fibre is immune to electromagnetic interference, which enhances the quality and security of the transmitted data, making it ideal for sensitive government communications.
• Signal-Carrying Properties: Optic fibre supports high bandwidths and longer transmission distances without significant loss of signal quality, allowing multiple video feeds simultaneously.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: Optic fibres can be more expensive to install and maintain due to their specialized handling requirements and the need for advanced technology.
• Fragility: They are more fragile than copper cables, requiring careful handling and installation.

Copper Wire

Advantages:

• Cost: Generally less expensive to produce and install. Existing infrastructure may also reduce overall costs.
• Ease of Installation: Copper wires are more robust and can withstand greater physical stress than fibre optics.

Disadvantages:

• Physical Properties: Heavier and thicker compared to optic fibre, which can complicate installation and increase structural support requirements.
• Ability to Reject External Interference: Copper cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which can lead to degraded signal quality in sensitive applications.
• Signal-Carrying Properties: They have lower data transmission capacity and are limited by distance, leading to potential signal loss during long-distance communications.

Recommendation

Given the requirement for multiple simultaneous video conferences and the transmission of sensitive government data, I would advise the company to use optic fibre for superior performance and security.