FTTH Drop Cable: Types, Construction and How to Choose

A practical guide to FTTH drop cables: flat and round types, fiber counts, strength members, G.657 fiber and tips for choosing the right one.

In an FTTH (fiber to the home) network, the drop cable is the final link between the distribution point and the subscriber's premises. It is the part of the network customers actually see, and it is installed in huge numbers, so its quality affects installation speed, repair rates and customer experience. This guide covers what an FTTH drop cable is, the main types, and what to check before buying.

What is an FTTH drop cable?

A drop cable is a small, lightweight fiber cable, usually carrying 1 to 4 fibers, that runs from a pole, distribution box or building riser to the customer's optical network terminal (ONT). It has to survive outdoor exposure, tight bends around walls and corners, and quick installation by field teams.

Main types of drop cable

Type	Description	Typical use
Flat (bow-type) drop cable	Fibers in the centre with two parallel strength members, easy to strip	Indoor and short outdoor drops
Self-supporting flat drop	Flat drop with an extra messenger wire for aerial spans	Pole-to-house aerial drops
Round drop cable	Circular construction with aramid or FRP strength	Duct and longer outdoor drops
Pre-connectorised drop	Factory-fitted connectors at one or both ends	Fast plug-and-play installation

Key parts of a drop cable

Fiber: usually bend-insensitive single-mode fiber to ITU-T G.657.A1 or G.657.A2, which tolerates tight bends around corners and in boxes.
Strength members: FRP rods for a fully non-metallic cable, or steel wires for higher tensile strength.
Sheath: LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) for indoor safety, or UV-resistant PE for outdoor use.
Messenger wire: in self-supporting designs, a steel wire carries the weight on aerial spans.

How to choose the right drop cable

Installation route: indoor-only, aerial, duct or a mix. Aerial drops need a self-supporting design.
Span length: longer aerial spans need stronger messenger wires and higher tensile ratings.
Fiber count: 1 or 2 fibers is common for homes; 4 fibers gives spare capacity for businesses or future services.
Bend performance: G.657.A2 fiber gives extra margin in tight indoor routing.
Metallic or non-metallic: non-metallic FRP drops avoid lightning and grounding issues.
Sheath rating: use LSZH indoors where fire safety rules apply.

Installation tips for fewer faults

Most drop cable problems come from installation, not the cable. Respect the minimum bend radius, avoid sharp edges and over-tight cable ties, use proper drop clamps on poles, and leave a small service loop at both ends for future repairs. Testing each drop with a power meter after installation catches problems before the customer does.

Frequently asked questions

What fiber is used in FTTH drop cable?

Most FTTH drop cables use bend-insensitive single-mode fiber to ITU-T G.657.A1 or G.657.A2, which keeps loss low even when the cable is bent tightly around corners.

How many fibers does a drop cable have?

Drop cables usually have 1 to 4 fibers. Single-fiber drops are common for homes, while 2 or 4 fibers provide spare capacity.

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor drop cable?

Outdoor drops use UV-resistant sheaths and often a messenger wire for aerial spans. Indoor drops typically use LSZH sheaths for fire safety and are designed for easy routing inside buildings.

Why are flat drop cables so common?

Flat drop cables are easy to strip by hand, light, low cost and quick to install, which matters when an operator is connecting thousands of homes.

Rolling out an FTTH network? M-Core supplies optical fiber cables for FTTH projects and can help you select drop cables to suit your installation routes.