Spaced sz stranding within fiber cable

An optical cable comprising:

• a central strength member;
• a first buffer tube surrounding at least one optical fiber, wherein said first buffer tube is SZ stranded around said central strength member along a length of said optical cable, and wherein an air gap exists between adjacent lays of said first buffer tube as said first buffer tube follows a SZ stranding path along said central strength member, wherein said first buffer tube has a first diameter and occupies a first angular portion of the three hundred sixty degrees surrounding said central strength member, and said air gap occupies a second angular portion of the three hundred sixty degrees surrounding said central strength member, which is greater than the first angular portion;
• at least one element holding said first buffer tube in the SZ stranding path along said central strength member;
• and
• an outer jacket surrounding said at least one element, said first buffer tube and said central strength member.

An optical cable consisting essentially of:

• a central strength member;
• a first buffer tube surrounding at least one optical fiber;
• a second buffer tube surrounding at least one optical fiber, wherein said first and second buffer tubes are SZ stranded around said central strength member along a length of said optical cable to form a cable core, and wherein an air gap exists between said first buffer tube and said second buffer tube as said first and second buffer tubes follow a SZ stranding path along said central strength member;
• first and second binders holding said first and second buffer tubes in the SZ stranding path along said central strength member;
• an armor layer surrounding said cable core and first and second binders;
• and
• an outer jacket surrounding said armor layer.