The high-speed interface Intel Thunderbolt (then Light Peak) was designed on optical data transmission channels, and only shortly before the announcement, it was decided to limit the use of traditional copper wires. Especially because the claimed transmission rate of 10 Gbit / s is sufficient for most cases.
Now, if we use copper cables, Thunderbolt provides a data rate of up to 10 Gbit / s at a distance of no more than three meters. Technology saves the performance up to six meters, but subject to speed reduction. Intel representatives, recognized that the popularity of such decision will greatly depend on the price of fiber optic cables.
In 2015 Intel will offer a new version of interface that use optical channels. It will transmit information over a distance of 100 meters at speeds up to 50 Gbit / sec.