The specification describes an improved optical fiber cable wherein the cable
cross section is round and contains a plurality of bundled optical fibers. The
bundle may comprise randomly arranged optical fibers or optical fibers aligned
in a ribbon configuration. The bundle is encased in a polymer encasement that couples
mechanically to the optical fibers. In some embodiments the encasement is relatively
hard, and is deliberately made to adhere to the optical fiber bundle. Consequently
the encasement medium functions as an effective stress translating medium that
deliberately translates stresses on the cable to the optical fibers. The cable
construction of the invention is essentially void free, and provides a dry cable
with water blocking capability.