Method for making tight-buffered optical fiber having improved fiber access

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing tight-buffered optical fiber having improved fiber access. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for making a tight buffer upcoated optical fiber having a predetermined buffer stripping force is provided. The method includes controlling residual acrylate unsaturation (RAU) and oxygen in at least an outer surface of un-buffered optical fiber, applying a tight buffer composition comprising acrylate to the un-buffered optical fiber, and curing the tight buffer composition. A buffered optical fiber is disclosed, comprising a core, a cladding, and primary, secondary and tertiary layers. The tertiary layer comprises at least an outer surface having about 2% to about 30% reacted acrylated unsaturation (RAU). A buffer comprising an ultraviolet curable acrylate material surrounds the fiber, and is strippable from the fiber.