Fiber optics are harder to find. They don't carry electricity, so special tools like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) are needed to locate them. Whether it's a small fence or a big construction job, knowing where underground utilities are saves time and. This guide will explain the most effective methods to locate buried fiber optic cables safely and efficiently. Properly locating these cables is essential for:. The first step to locating underground fiber optic cables is to obtain a copy of the local area's utility map. They are preferred over traditional copper cables due to their higher bandwidth and faster speeds. Interruptions can impact hospitals, airports, utilities, financial transactions, emergency communication centers, business networks, and entire communities. Public utility marks aren't enough.