Abstract: A high mechanical and heat performance optical cable for aerial or underground applications comprises a dielectric central member, a plurality of polymeric tubes helically arranged around the dielectric central member, a plurality of optical fiber loosely housed in the polymeric tubes and separated from the polymeric tubes by a filling, a binder comprising polymeric tapes helically arranged around the tubes, a peripheral pulling element arranged around the polymeric tubes, a flame resistant external sheath surrounding the peripheral pulling element, and metallic elements helically arranged around the flame resistant external sheath to form an external ring.