Unlike single mode, multimode fiber (MMF) allows multiple light modes to transmit and pass through. That makes manufacturing easier and offers a lower cost ratio on the same length. In contrast. Two of the most common cable types you'll hear about when implementing a fiber network are single mode and multimode fiber. Read on for a breakdown of the difference between. Understanding the differences between single-mode, multimode, and specialty optical fibers, along with their manufacturing constraints and emerging applications, is essential for engineers, researchers, and system designers working across the photonics ecosystem.