While the general installation process for both power and fiber optic cables involves laying them underground, the key difference lies in their mechanical and optical tolerances. Power cables are robust and designed to handle high mechanical stress, but they are also heavy. Fiber optic cables, in contrast, are much more delicate. The core challenge is to install them without exceeding their very low pulling tension limits or their minimum bend radius. Any damage to the internal glass fibers can result in increased signal loss (attenuation) or complete failure.