Umehluko phakathi kwezintambo zikagesi nezintambo ze-optical:

Okokuqala: umehluko obalulekile. Ngaphakathi kwekhebula kukhona umqhubi wensimbi (ikakhulukazi ithusi, i-aluminium); ikhebula le-optical lisebenzisa i-glass fiber njengomqhubi.

Okwesibili: kunomehluko ezimpawini zokudlulisa. Izintambo zidlulisa izimpawu zikagesi. Izintambo ze-optical zidlulisa izimpawu ze-optical.

Okwesithathu: kunomehluko ekusetshenzisweni. Amakhebula manje asetshenziswa kakhulu ekudlulisweni kwamandla kanye nokudluliselwa kwedatha okuphansi (njengakwamafoni). Amakhebula e-optical asetshenziswa kakhulu ekudlulisweni kwedatha.