Cable TV Fiber Optic Cable Price List

Fiber optic cable for cable TV typically costs between $0.09 and $6 per foot for materials, with installation costs ranging from $1 to $7 per foot depending on method and complexity.Material CostsSingle-mode fiber (OS2): $0.09 to $1.52 per foot, cheaper for long-distance runs but requires precise splicing equipment .Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4/OM5): $1.50 to $6 per foot, higher cost due to wider cores and manufacturing complexity .Armored cables: $0.50 to $5 per foot, designed for harsh environments or direct burial .Bulk purchases: Buying reels of 10,000 feet can reduce per-foot cost by ~20% compared to 1,000-foot reels .Installation CostsIndoor riser/plenum runs: $0.80–$1.70 per foot for materials; installed cost $1.90–$3.10 per foot .Aerial installation (utility poles): $1.20–$2.50 per foot, requires permits .Underground trenching: $0.90–$1.80 per foot for open trench; directional boring $3–$7 per foot to avoid surface disruption .Labor and permits: Labor often dominates total cost, with professional installation adding $1–$3 per foot depending on complexity .Project ExamplesSmall indoor run (1,000 ft, single-mode): Total ≈ $2,650–$3,100 including cable, labor, and permits .Medium outdoor run (2,000 ft, conduit, 4 terminations): Total ≈ $4,940–$6,120 .Large outdoor run (5,000 ft, armored cable, multiple splices): Total ≈ $11,000–$14,500 .Factors Affecting CostFiber type and strand count: Higher strand counts increase cost proportionally; e.g., 12-strand cable ≈ $0.50/ft, 24-strand ≈ $1/ft .Cable construction: Plenum-rated cables cost ~40% more than riser-rated; armored or CST adds $0.60–$1.20 per foot .Regional variations: Urban Northeast may be 15–25% higher than national average; Midwest often aligns with average; rural areas may have lower labor but higher delivery costs .Pre-terminated cables: 20–30% higher material cost but reduce on-site splicing labor, potentially lowering total project cost by up to 70% . In summary, fiber optic cable for cable TV can range from under $1 per foot for simple indoor single-mode runs to over $6 per foot for high-strand-count, armored, or outdoor installations, with total installed costs heavily influenced by labor, permits, and installation method.