Fiber optic cable with strength member formed from a sheet

A fiber optic cable, comprising:

• a strength member comprising a sheet, said sheet manufactured in a forming process, said sheet having at least one fiber access opening leading to at least one formed area disposed generally longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of the cable;
• at least one optical fiber component disposed within said at least one formed area so that the at least one optical fiber component can be accessed at the fiber access opening without substantially disturbing the strength member;
• a decoupling zone disposed in said at least one formed area and adjacent to said optical fiber component;
• at least one water-blocking component at least partially disposed in said formed area;
• and
• an interfacial layer at least partially disposed between an outer surface of said strength member and a cable jacket generally surrounding said strength member with at least a portion of the cable jacket being in communication with the at least one fiber access opening.

A fiber optic cable, comprising:

• a strength member comprising a sheet, said sheet manufactured in a forming process having at least one fiber access opening leading to a formed area disposed generally longitudinally relative to an axis of the cable;
• at least one optical fiber component disposed within said at least one formed area so that the at least one optical fiber component can be accessed at the fiber access opening without substantially distrubing the strength member;
• a cable jacket generally surrounding said strength member with at least a portion of the cable jacket being in communication with the at least one fiber access opening;
• an interfacial layer at least partially disposed between an outer surface of said strength member and said cable jacket;
• and
• the cable having a strain of about a 1.0% or less when applying about a 1,000 lb. tensile force.