Abstract: Method for manufacturing an improved optical cable comprised of a cable core including optical fibers. The method includes the steps of continuously drawing a cable core through a sheathing station that forms a sheath of halogen free, low flammability material of high density about the cable core; continuously drawing the sheathed cable core through a jacketing station that forms a jacket of halogen free, low flammability, cross-linkable plastic material about the sheath; and continuously drawing the sheated and jacketed cable core through a high radiation source that causes a cross-linking of the jacket material, while the sheath prevents any radiation from penetrating the optical fibers of the cable core.