The new optical cables enable long-distance data transmissions without signal degradation, Sumitomo said in a statement. The cables are being offered initially in lengths of up to 20 meters.

The cables are also as thin and durable as the copper cables, Sumitomo said. The optical cable can be used in consumer devices and "will provide high bend performance even when pinched by up to 180 degrees or tangled in knots," the company said.

The Sumitomo cables have the same performance characteristics as copper cables, the Intel spokesman said. The optical cables offer bidirectional transmission speeds of 10Gbps per channel, according to Sumitomo. Just like copper cables, the optical cables support PCI-Express 2.0 and DisplayPort protocols.

A downside of fiber optics is that peripherals will need their own power supply over long cable runs. Optical fibers don't carry power, and copper has the advantage of providing up to 10 watts of power over a cable.

Sumitomo did not respond to requests for comment on the price and availability of the cables.