Book excerpt: This is a self-contained book on the foundations and applications of optical and microwave technologies to telecommunication networks application, with an emphasis on access, local, road, cars, trains, vessels and airplanes, indoor and in-car data transmission as well as for long-distance fiber-systems and application in outer space and automation technology. The book provides a systematic discussion of physics/optics, electromagnetic wave theory, optical fibre technology, and the potential and limitations of optical and microwave transmission.