Fiber optic networks are known for high-speed data transmission and reliability, but they're not immune to failures. Issues like signal loss, physical damage, and poor connections can degrade performance or cause complete outages. However, in real-world installations, whether underground, aerial, or in harsh industrial environments, fiber cables can and do fail. Understanding the common causes of. What are the biggest causes of fi ber-optic network failure in the data center? Study after study shows that they are: In one example, a study conducted by NTT-Advanced Technology, 96% of installers and 80% of network operators have experienced issues with contamination of the connector endface.