Fiber optic cables transmit digital information over long distances using thin strands of glass. They work by total internal reflection of light signals within the glass core. Fiber optic cables have a core, cladding, and protective buffer coating. They transmit light using either single-mode or multi-mode fibers and technologies like DWDM increase bandwidth capacity. Fiber optics provide advantages like high bandwidth, low signal degradation, and flexibility for uses like telecommunications, medical imaging, and industrial inspection.