> The design criteria is exactly the same. Have an optical medium with as little attenuation as you can.
If the design criteria for cables was "make a good cable", we wouldn't have thousands of different types. There are cables which have different mechanical and environmental properties, different cost constraints, prioritization of different performance characteristics, etc.
> Can you have a copper cable able to deliver power over a long distance but unable to deliver the same power over a shorter distance?
Depending on the particular application, yes. Consider some 12/2 solid Romex. It'll handle 10 watts just fine, for quite a distance, if you want. Won't work well for a 1 meter long phone charging cable, though. Different mechanical requirements.
If the design criteria for cables was "make a good cable", we wouldn't have thousands of different types. There are cables which have different mechanical and environmental properties, different cost constraints, prioritization of different performance characteristics, etc.
> Can you have a copper cable able to deliver power over a long distance but unable to deliver the same power over a shorter distance?
Depending on the particular application, yes. Consider some 12/2 solid Romex. It'll handle 10 watts just fine, for quite a distance, if you want. Won't work well for a 1 meter long phone charging cable, though. Different mechanical requirements.