A hybrid cable comprising an optical fiber, an intermediate layer surrounding
the
optical fiber, and an electrically insulating jacket surrounding the intermediate
layer. The intermediate layers include a collection of metallic strands. The hybrid
cable may be used to establish simultaneous electrical and fiber-optic connection
between two communication devices. Thus, the two communication devices may simultaneously
transfer optical signals through the optical fiber and perform any of various electrical
functions (power transfer, eye safety control) through the metallic strands. For
example, an optical transceiver may couple to an optical antenna unit through the
hybrid cable. Such an optical transceiver may serve as part of a point-to-point
link, a point-to-multipoint link, and/or, a link between a primary transceiver
unit and an optical router.