Fiber-bundle assembly for maintaining a select order in an optical fiber cable

A fiber-bundle sub-assembly includes an array of fiber bundles each having at least one optical fiber. The fiber bundles have select relative positions in the array. The sub-assembly includes first and second connecting elements that run along the array and that are secured to axially staggered top and bottom anchors to define first and second connecting spans that cross first and second sides of the array, with the first and second sides defined by first and second sets of fiber bundles. The first and second connecting spans are respectively attached to the first and second sets of fibers bundles to maintain the select relative positions of the fiber bundles even when the connecting spans are cut near one of the anchors during processing. A loose-tube cable that includes the fiber-bundle sub-assembly and a method of connectorizing the fiber bundles while maintaining their select positions are also disclosed.