Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber cable

An apparatus for, and method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable whereby stable transmission characteristics, such as length and tension, are maintained throughout a specified length of the cable. A slotted rod having spiral grooves formed longitudinally on the surface thereof is hauled by a hauling device, optical fibers or optical fiber ribbons are inserted into the spiral grooves, and a binding is applied onto the outer surface of the slotted rod to form the basis for an optical fiber cable stranding. The optical cable stranding with the optical fibers or the like inserted in the spiral grooves and with the binding applied thereon is wound around a guide wheel, thereby maintaining stable transmission characteristics throughout a specified length of the cable, and then further hauled. The guide wheel is rotatable about a rotary axis perpendicular to the hauling direction of the slotted rod.