FLAME RETARDANT COMPOUND ON CABLE CENTRAL MEMBER

An optical fiber cable includes a central strength member, a bedding compound surrounding the central strength member, a plurality of buffer tubes stranded around the central strength member and the bedding compound such that the bedding compound forms to the buffer tubes and occupies substantially the entirety of an inner core area between the buffer tubes and the central strength member. At least one of the buffer tubes contains a plurality of optical fibers and a jacket surrounds the plurality of buffer tubes. The cable may further include a second bedding compound that fills interstices in an outer core area between the buffer tubes and the jacket.