A single core of optical fiber cable typically costs between $0.13 and $0.40 per foot ($0.40 per meter), depending on fiber type, construction, and application.

Pricing Overview

The cost of one fiber core varies based on several factors:

• Fiber Type: Single-mode fiber (OS2) is generally cheaper per core than multimode fiber (OM3/OM4), with single-mode costing around $0.10–$0.50 per foot and multimode ranging from $1.50–$6.00 per foot for higher-grade cables .
• Cable Construction: Indoor cables with PVC or LSZH jackets are less expensive than outdoor or armored cables designed for harsh environments. Armored cables can increase the cost by 20–50% .
• Strand Count: Higher strand counts increase the per-foot cost. A simple 1-core FTTH drop cable costs approximately $0.13 per foot, while large backbone cables with hundreds of cores can reach $6 per foot .
• Material Quality: Glass fiber cores are standard for high-speed, long-distance transmission and cost more than plastic optical fibers .

Practical Examples

• FTTH Drop Cable (1 core): ~$0.13 per foot or ~$0.40 per meter .
• 12-core Single-mode Cable: ~$0.50 per foot.
• 24-core Cable: ~$1.00 per foot.
• High-count Backbone Cable (e.g., 288 cores): Up to $6 per foot .

Additional Considerations

• Bulk Purchases: Wholesale or bulk orders can reduce the per-core cost significantly, sometimes to $0.09 per foot .
• Installation Costs: Material cost is only part of the total; labor, trenching, splicing, and termination can add $0.60–$3.00 per foot depending on project complexity .
• Environmental Rating: Outdoor, UV-resistant, or direct-burial cables are more expensive than indoor-rated cables . In summary, for a single core of optical fiber cable, expect a base material cost of roughly $0.13–$0.40 per foot, with higher prices for multimode, armored, or high-count cables, and additional costs for installation and specialized environments .