Abstract: An assembly that includes a fiber-containing structure that contains a plurality of optical fibers and a furcation tube assembly that includes a plurality of loose tube optical fiber cables. Each of the loose tube optical fiber cables includes a hollow inner tube; a support structure that includes strength members, the support structure surrounding the hollow inner tube; and, a protective jacket surrounding the support structure. The assembly further includes a heat shrink tube that joins the fiber-containing structure and the furcation tube assembly and a protective tube surrounded by the heat shrink tube and disposed in surrounding relationship to the furcation tube assembly. The support structure extends in a first direction between an outer surface of the fiber-containing structure and an inner surface of the protective tube proximate a first end of the protective tube.