What is ABF Cable?

ABF (All-Application Burial/Free-space) cable is a unified outdoor fiber optic cable construction designed to eliminate the need for separate cable types across different installation environments. Unlike traditional cables that are specific to one method (duct, direct burial, or aerial), ABF cables combine the mechanical properties needed for multiple installation scenarios into a single product: PE UV-resistant outer jacket for environmental protection, corrugated steel tape armor for crush resistance and rodent protection, and in some variants an integrated messenger wire for self-supporting aerial spans. OMC's ABF cables are the ideal choice for FTTH networks where the cable must transition between underground duct, direct burial sections, and aerial spans within the same route, and for telecom operators who want to standardize on a single cable type to simplify logistics and reduce inventory complexity.

Multi-Environment Construction

The ABF cable construction integrates multiple protective layers to handle diverse installation environments. At the core, 250 µm primary-coated fibers are packaged in gel-filled loose buffer tubes (2-12 fibers per tube) with water-blocking gel per IEC 60794-1-2 Method F5. The core is wrapped with water-blocking aramid yarns and a central dielectric or steel strength member. Corrugated steel tape armor (typically 0.15-0.25 mm thick) provides the critical mechanical protection for direct burial sections. The PE outer jacket (typically 2.0-2.5 mm wall) provides UV resistance and moisture barrier for all environments. For aerial self-supporting variants, a steel messenger wire is Figure-8 integrated into the outer jacket, enabling spans of 50-80 meters between support points. Crush resistance ranges from 2000-4000 N/10 cm depending on armor thickness.

Applications Across FTTH and Telecom Networks

ABF cables are particularly valuable in FTTH and telecom access networks where routes commonly transition between different installation environments. A typical FTTH route might begin at the central office OLT in an underground duct, transition to a direct burial section across a campus or industrial park, and then continue via aerial span across a road to reach a residential area. With ABF cable, the installer carries a single cable type for the entire route, eliminating the need to splice at environment transition points or maintain separate cable inventories. Utility companies deploy ABF cables along power line corridors where the cable transitions from underground duct at substations to aerial spans between poles. Rural broadband projects benefit from ABF's ability to handle varying terrain without requiring detailed route-by-route cable type planning.

Bend-Insensitive Fiber for FTTH Flexibility

OMC's ABF cables for FTTH applications use G.657.A1 or G.657.A2 bend-insensitive single-mode fiber, enabling tight bends around poles, building entry points, and premises termination without macrobend loss penalties. The G.657.A2 fiber maintains ≤0.1 dB additional loss at 1550 nm for bends as tight as 7.5 mm radius, far surpassing the 15 mm minimum bend radius of standard G.652.D fiber. This is especially important at the customer premises where the drop cable may be routed around door frames, corners, and inside wall cavities with minimal space. The combination of ABF mechanical protection and G.657.A2 optical performance provides the most versatile FTTH access cable available today.

Supply and Customization Options

OMC ABF cables are available in standard fiber counts of 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 cores for FTTH access networks, with custom counts up to 144 cores for backbone applications. Standard reels of 2 km, 3 km, or 4 km are available, with custom cut-to-length reels for specific project routes. All ABF cables are 100% OTDR-tested at 1310/1550 nm with test reports included per shipment. OMC supports project-specific cable marking with sequential meter marks and custom legends, pre-installed pulling eyes for long duct runs, and pre-terminated ABF assemblies with SC/APC connectors for FTTH fast deployment. Volume pricing and project financing options are available for telecom operator framework agreements. Contact our sales team for technical specifications, pricing, and delivery scheduling for your next FTTH deployment.