A complete technical guide covering fiber types, cable designs, sheath materials, strength members, and procurement specifications for FTTH drop cable selection.
Direct Answer: Choose GJXH/GJXFH/GJXV/GJXFV for protected indoor drop routes and GJYXCH/GJYXFCH (outdoor figure-8 self-supporting) for aerial outdoor drops. The three primary selection criteria are: installation environment (indoor vs outdoor), strength-member and messenger design, and sheath material according to fire, UV, and project requirements.
A practical technical guide for ISPs, telecom contractors, FTTH installers, and distributors covering fiber types, cable designs, sheath materials, strength members, and procurement specifications for FTTH drop cables.
FTTH drop cable is the fiber optic cable that connects the network access point (typically a distribution closure or splice point) to the subscriber premises. It is the final physical link in a Fiber-to-the-Home network — the cable that runs from the street cabinet, pole, or splice closure to the customer's ONT (Optical Network Terminal).
Unlike backbone or feeder cables that carry hundreds of fibers over long distances, drop cables are commonly used for short subscriber-side routes, but fiber count and route length are project-specific. They must balance three competing requirements: low cost per subscriber, sufficient mechanical protection for the installation environment, and compliance with local building codes.
The choices an ISP makes at the drop cable level affect installation speed, long-term maintenance costs, and service upgrade flexibility. Getting the specification right upfront saves significant operational expense over the life of the network.
This is the most fundamental distinction in drop cable selection. Outdoor and indoor drop cables face completely different environmental requirements and are rarely interchangeable. For a broader comparison of sheath, fire-safety, moisture, and installation requirements, read the indoor vs outdoor fiber optic cable guide.
Outdoor drop cable should be selected against the required UV exposure, moisture protection, temperature range, and route conditions. The outer sheath is typically black polyethylene (PE), while water-blocking compound or tape requirements should be confirmed from the approved cable design.
Indoor drop cable prioritizes fire safety and flexibility. The sheath is typically Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) material, which produces minimal toxic smoke when burned. Explore our FTTH drop cable range for indoor, outdoor, and self-supporting deployment options.
Universal drop cables combine both requirements — a PE outer sheath for outdoor sections with an LSZH inner sheath, allowing the same cable to run from outdoors to indoors without a splice.
For aerial installations — a common FTTH deployment method in many markets — self-supporting drop cable uses an integrated messenger element within a shaped outdoor jacket. Choose GJYXCH with steel messenger wire and steel strength members for standard aerial FTTH routes, or GJYXFCH with steel messenger wire and FRP strength members where the approved drawing calls for FRP strength members. If metallic components are not permitted, review ADSS or another project-approved all-dielectric aerial design.
When to use self-supporting drop cable:
Three ITU-T standards are relevant for FTTH drop cables:
| Standard | Minimum Bend Radius | G.652D Compatibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.652D | Confirm in approved fiber and cable datasheet | Confirm splice compatibility | Backbone and feeder cables |
| G.657A1 | Confirm in approved fiber and cable datasheet | Designed for compatibility with G.652D where specified | Standard FTTH installations |
| G.657A2 | Confirm in approved fiber and cable datasheet | Designed for compatibility with G.652D where specified | Tight spaces and compact closures |
Bend limits and splice compatibility must be taken from the applicable fiber and finished-cable specification.
| Environment | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Self-supporting aerial spans with project-defined loading | Steel messenger or approved dielectric self-supporting design |
| Standard outdoor duct drop | FRP or steel |
| Indoor drop cable | FRP (non-conductive, lightweight) |
| Lightning-prone areas | FRP or KFRP (all-dielectric) |
PE (Polyethylene) — Common outdoor sheath option for UV and moisture exposure; confirm the approved temperature and environmental limits.
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) — Indoor option when the applicable building code or project specification requires low-smoke and halogen-free performance.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) — Legacy indoor cable material, increasingly replaced by LSZH globally.
| Fiber Count | Use Case | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fiber | Bi-directional GPON | Lowest cable cost | No redundancy or upgrade path |
| 2 fibers | Ethernet P2P, RFoG | Redundant path | Limited future capacity |
| 4 fibers | FTTH or enterprise access where specified | May provide spare capacity | Higher material requirement; confirm the network plan |
1. Specifying fiber without checking the route. Select G.652D, G.657-series, or another approved fiber according to the bend condition and network design.
2. Using an outdoor sheath indoors without checking code. Confirm the local fire-safety requirement; an LSZH option may be required.
3. Ignoring fiber count upgrade path. 1-fiber drops create future bottlenecks.
4. Not specifying connector requirements. State the interface, polish, and optical acceptance criteria from the approved connector and finished-assembly specification.
5. One cable for all environments. Standardize on 2–3 cable variants.
Fiber: G.652D, G.657A1, G.657A2, or other approved type | compatibility | project-defined fiber count and spare policy
Cable Design: Flat bow-type indoor drop | project-specific outdoor/duct cable | self-supporting figure-8 or ADSS aerial design
Sheath: PE (outdoor) | LSZH (indoor) | Universal dual-sheath
Strength Member: Steel (aerial) | FRP (standard) | All-dielectric (lightning areas)
Connector (pre-term): APC/UPC | Loss thresholds defined
MapleArashi offers a full range of FTTH drop cables to match every deployment scenario. Below are the most commonly specified models for ISP and telecom projects:
For detailed technical specifications of each model, visit our FTTH Drop Cables product page.
FTTH drop cable selection comes down to matching the cable specification to the installation environment. Common considerations include bend-insensitive fiber where needed, project-defined spare capacity, an indoor sheath that meets the applicable code, and self-supporting design only where the aerial loading and route require it.
Standardizing on 2–3 cable variants that cover your most common deployment scenarios reduces SKU complexity, simplifies installer training, and lowers total cost of ownership.
Contact Maplearashi for technical specifications, datasheets, and pricing.
Product Range: maplearashi.com/ftth-drop-cables
Product Specification: FTTH Drop Cable product page and RFQ configurator
FTTH and access network cables should be evaluated under a unified selection framework.
