Dielectric optical fiber cable having reduced preferential bending

An optical fiber cable (10) has plastic tube(s) (120), a jacket (160), and a strength component system. The system has diametrically opposed dielectric rods (300-1, 300-2) which extend parallel to longitudinal axis, at least partially embedded in the jacket. Each rod is surrounded by frictional adhesion coating which enables local movement within the jacket in response to compressive/flexural stress. An optical fiber cable (10) having a longitudinal axis, comprises at least one plastic tube (120), a jacket (160), and a strength component system. The plastic tube extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and encloses several optical fibers (101). The jacket is made of a plastic material and encloses the plastic tube. The system comprises two diametrically opposed dielectric rods (300-1,300-2) which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis and are at least partially embedded in the jacket. The rods have a compressive stiffness which is effective to inhibit contraction of the cable and a tensile stiffness which is effective to receive a tensile load without transfer of the tensile load to the optical fibers. Each rod is surrounded by a frictional adhesion coating which enables it to move locally within the jacket in response to compressive or flexural stress applied to the cable.