Abstract: An optical cable having at least one optical fiber in its core, the fiber surrounded by a fiberglass tube. The fiber is loosely contained within the tube which comprises a matrix of glass filaments with gaps between filaments filled by a rigid material such as an epoxy resin. A water blocking medium may fill the tube.

Abstract: An optical cable having at least one optical fiber in its core, the fiber surrounded by a crush resistant tube. The fiber is loosely contained within the tube which comprises longitudinally extending closely packed tensile filaments embedded in a continuous solidified and rigid carrier. The carrier material is preferably an epoxy resin. A water blocking medium may fill the tube. The tube is made by covering the tensile filaments in the carrier material in a flowable state, guiding the coated filaments through a tubular space so as to fill it and causing solidification of the carrier inside the tubular space. The optical fiber is passed through a tubular guide which defines the inner surface of the tubular space so as to lie within the formed tube.