Abstract: A communications cable system comprises a plurality of cables joined end-to-end, each cable comprising a plurality of single-material optical fibers, and a plurality of joint accessories each joining the ends of an adjacent pair of cables. At the end of each cable is provided a plurality of short cladded-core optical fibers optically joined to the ends of respective single-material fibers. The other ends of the cladded-core fibers project and the projecting cladded-core fibers of the two joined cables are inserted into opposite ends of capillary tubes which are supported within the joint accessory. The cladded-core fibers of the joined cables abut end-to-end and are long enough to follow curved paths between the ends of the cables and the joint accessory through-bores, so as to be under axial compressive forces.