Sumitomo Electric Lightwave is unveiling a new “flexible,” gel-free, indoor/outdoor ribbon cable.

The cable features a cross-ply strength element sheath that helps it bend freely in every direction for greater flexibility when installing in tight premise locations and in more complex fiber pathways. In addition, according to Sumitomo, the cable’s bend diameter is more than 40 percent smaller than that of comparable cables, providing approximately twice the flexibility.

The company says the cable can be installed from the last termination in the outside plant environment into the building, allowing for splice-free fiber flow. Water-blocking yarns remove the need for gel – a feature also designed to make installation easier.

The cable can be used for direct-buried and lashed-aerial applications and has a tensile strength of up to 600 pounds. It is UL and OFNR listed for up to and including riser flammability requirements and has met Telcordia GR-20 and GR-409 standards, as well as ICEA 640 requirements, Sumitomo said.