Buyer Guide · FTTH / ODN

FTTH Drop Cable Buying Guide: Choose by Route, Then Specify

An FTTH drop cable is the last section of fiber between a distribution point and the subscriber, and the route it follows decides almost everything about it. An indoor run along a wall, an aerial span between poles and a pull through an underground duct need different constructions. This guide compares the main FTTH drop cable types, explains the specification fields that matter, covers pre-terminated drops and gives a line format for requests that include connectors, boxes and accessories.

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Published 2026-07-19 · Updated 2026-11-11 · By the Lumafyn Technical Team

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FTTH Drop Cable Types by Route

Common FTTH drop cable constructions
Type	Construction	Best fit
Flat indoor drop (bow-type)	1–4 fibers between two strength members, flat jacket	Inside buildings, along walls and in risers
Self-supporting aerial drop	Flat or round drop joined to a messenger wire (figure-8)	Pole-to-house spans
Round outdoor drop	Central tube or tight fibers, aramid or FRP strength, PE jacket	Ducts, conduit and short buried routes
Armored drop	Corrugated steel or other armor under the jacket	Direct burial or rodent-prone routes
Pre-terminated drop	Any of the above with factory-fitted connectors on one or both ends	Fast installation without field splicing

Name the route on every line. "Drop cable 2F" can describe any of these, and they are not interchangeable.

Specification Fields That Matter

FTTH drop cable specification fields
Field	What to state
Fiber count and type	1, 2 or 4 fibers; G.657.A1 or A2 for tight bends, or G.652.D where specified
Strength member	Non-metallic FRP or KFRP, or steel wire; non-metallic avoids grounding concerns
Messenger	For aerial drops: material and the span the cable must support
Jacket	LSZH for indoor use, UV-resistant PE outdoors; color
Dimensions	Cross-section size, which must fit clips, boxes and entry glands
Mechanical ratings	Tensile load, crush resistance and minimum bend radius from the data sheet
Length and put-up	Reel length or cut lengths, drum type, end sealing

Mechanical values differ between constructions and manufacturers. Ask for the data sheet values and compare them with the installation method rather than relying on a product name.

Pre-Terminated Drop Cables

Pre-terminated drops are made to length with connectors fitted and tested in the factory. They remove splicing from the subscriber visit, which can shorten installation time and reduce the tools crews need, but they must be ordered with the right lengths and connectors.

Connector type. SC/APC is common indoors; outdoor ends often use hardened (environmentally sealed) connectors that mate with terminal ports. State the port type of the terminal you use.
Length set. Because cables cannot be shortened without re-termination, sites usually stock a set of lengths and store slack in boxes. Give the lengths and quantity per length.
Pulling. If the cable will be pulled through duct, ask for a pulling grip or protective sleeve over the connector.
Test records. Insertion and return loss per connector, linked to the label on each cable.

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Installation Notes That Affect the Order

Aerial spans. Confirm the longest span and local wind or ice conditions; the messenger and clamps must match.
Indoor routing. Count corners and clips; bend-insensitive G.657 fiber helps where the cable turns tightly. Our G.652.D vs G.657 guide compares the bend limits.
Duct routes. Check duct size and pull length; round cables with low friction jackets pull more easily than flat ones.
Termination point. Note the box or wall outlet at the subscriber and the terminal at the distribution side, so connectors and glands match.

A Quote-Ready Drop Cable BOM

Drop cable rarely ships alone. Send it in one BOM with the connectors, boxes and accessories it connects to, each on its own line.

FTTH drop cable RFQ lines
Line	Example
DROP-01	Flat indoor drop, 1F G.657.A2, FRP, LSZH white, 1 km reels, 20 reels
DROP-02	Self-supporting drop, 2F G.657.A1, steel messenger, PE black, 1 km reels, 10 reels
DROP-03	Pre-terminated drop, 1F, SC/APC both ends, 50 m, 300 pcs
ACC-01	Fast connectors SC/APC for flat drop, 2,000 pcs
BOX-01	Wall outlet box for 1 subscriber, 500 pcs
Commercial	Labels, packing, destination country, BOM revision and date

Mark open fields "to be confirmed". If you replace an existing cable, send its data sheet or a photo of the jacket print. When the same project uses several drop types, keep a short note on each line saying where it will be installed, for example "MDU risers" or "rural aerial spans", so the construction can be checked against the route before the quotation is issued.

Acceptance Checks on Delivery

Drop cable is bought in volume and installed by many crews, so a short acceptance routine on delivery saves trouble later. Agree it with the supplier before the order:

Drop cable acceptance checks
Check	How
Jacket print	Compare the printed cable type, fiber count and length marks with the order line
Dimensions	Measure the cross-section on a sample and test it in the clips and box glands you use
Fiber continuity	Check each fiber end to end on a sample reel, or by OTDR where available
Attenuation	Ask for reel test records at 1310 and 1550 nm; for G.657 cables, 1625 nm is sometimes added
Pre-terminated cables	Match the label, length and connector on a sample against the test record
Packing	Reel labels, end caps and drum condition

Keep the reel or batch number with the installation record. If a section fails later, the batch number links the fault to its test record and to other reels from the same lot.

Common FTTH Drop Cable Mistakes

Indoor cable outdoors. LSZH indoor jackets are not made for UV and water exposure.
Span not checked. A self-supporting drop ordered without the longest span in mind.
Clips and boxes not matched. Flat cable sizes vary; clips and glands must fit the actual cross-section.
Pre-terminated lengths guessed. Too short cannot be fixed; too long needs slack storage.
Accessories forgotten. Clamps, hooks, wall clips and connectors ordered separately often arrive in the wrong size for the cable.

FAQ

FTTH Drop Cable FAQ

What is an FTTH drop cable?

It is the fiber cable between the distribution point, such as a terminal box or pole, and the subscriber premises. It usually carries 1 to 4 fibers.

Which fiber is best for FTTH drop cable?

Bend-insensitive G.657.A1 or A2 fiber is common because drop routes have tight corners and clips. Use G.652.D where your network standard requires it.

FRP or steel strength member?

FRP and other non-metallic members avoid grounding and lightning concerns and are common indoors and in many outdoor drops. Steel members or messengers add strength for longer aerial spans. Follow your network design.

When should I use pre-terminated drop cables?

When you want to remove field splicing from subscriber visits and can plan the lengths in advance. They need standard length sets and slack storage.

What do you need to quote FTTH drop cable?

For each line: route type, fiber count and type, strength member, jacket and color, dimensions, mechanical requirements, length and put-up, connectors if pre-terminated, quantity and destination.

Sources and Further Reading

Standards and public references describe definitions and industry practice; they are not Lumafyn product data. Optical values, MOQ and lead time for your order are confirmed in your quotation and test records.