Improved core configuration for optical fiber cables

A high fiber count optical fiber cable which maintains substantially the same size and weight as conventional cables is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by an optical fiber cable having a centrally located longitudinally extending lightwave core, the lightwave core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending bundles formed from a polymer material. At least one optical fiber is disposed in at least one of the plurality of polymer bundles. A support shell is disposed around the lightwave core. In an illustrative example of the invention, six elastomeric polymer bundles each having a substantially circular cross section are concentrically arranged around a seventh such bundle in a "six-around-one" configuration to form a lightwave core. The elastomeric polymer bundles all have substantially identical outside diameters so that the six elastomeric polymer bundles are substantially close packed around the seventh elastomeric polymer bundle. Disposed within at least one of the elastomeric polymer bundles is an arrangement of optical fibers, where the arrangement includes a six-around-one configuration of optical fibers or a plurality of fibers disposed around a central strength member. A support shell comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending steel strength members, conductive jacket, insulator, and plastic jacket, is disposed around the lightwave core. Plastic waterblocking material is disposed in the interstices between the elastomeric bundles, and in the interstices between the strength members and elastomeric bundles.