Optical fiber cables with a central strength member encircled by a jacket
having ducts which are disposed around the strength member and which
receive one or more optical fibers with jacket material between the ducts
and the outer surface of the jacket. The optical fibers are free to move
in the ducts, and preferably, the optical fibers are tight buffered.
Portions of the jacket intermediate the ducts connect to the strength
member which resists longitudinal movement of the jacket relative to the
core. However, the jacket can be separated from the core by manual
pulling force after the jacket is axially and radially cut at a pair of
diametrically opposite ducts. Preferably, the jacket has outer surface
indicia showing the positions of the slots, and the cables can include
water blocking materials.