A fiber optic cable is disclosed that buffers against loss, where the cable includes
an outer jacket, and an optical fiber ribbon disposed within the outer jacket,
wherein the ribbon includes more than one optical fiber, and at least two distinct
matrix coatings disposed on the optical fibers, the coatings having distinct characteristics.
Preferably, the inner coating is relatively soft, with a lower elastic modulus
than the relatively stiff, hard outer coating. Also disclosed is a method of buffering
loss in an optical fiber transmission, including providing an optical fiber ribbon,
wherein the ribbon includes more than one optical fiber, and at least two distinct
matrix coatings disposed on the optical fibers, the coatings having distinct characteristics;
and transmitting in at least one of the C-band, L-band and U-band of wavelengths.
