Here is the 2026 benchmark for cost of laying fiber optic cable per foot by method: Open trench (lawn/field): $0. 80 per ft – fastest, lowest cost. Directional boring (road crossing, driveway): $3. These fibers are thin strands, often as small as a human hair, that transmit data as pulses of light. With prices ranging from $1 to over $ 50 per linear foot, depending on the installation method. Buyers typically pay for fiber laying by combining material costs, labor time, and permitting plus trenching or aerial support fees. Commercial building installations with 100-200 network drops generally range from $15,000 to $30,000.