Price of a whole reel of optical fiber cable for sale

Fiber optic cable reels range from $0.10 to $5.50 per foot depending on type, strand count, and installation requirements, with bulk reels offering significant discounts.

Typical Material Costs

• Single-mode fiber (OS2, 12-strand): $0.30 – $0.75 per foot for outdoor gel-filled cable; indoor plenum-rated versions cost $0.65 – $1.45 per foot .
• Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4, 12-strand): $0.55 – $1.10 per foot for indoor/riser applications; high-count ribbon fiber (144+ strands) can reach $2.20 – $5.50 per foot .
• Armored outdoor fiber (6–12 strands): $1.10 – $2.40 per foot for direct burial or harsh environments .
• Bulk wholesale purchases: Prices can drop 20–40% compared to retail, especially for reels of 1,000 feet or more .

Examples of Reels Available

• Lucent 18-strand single-mode, 7,000 ft reels: Original cost $3.10 per foot; offers accepted for bulk purchase .
• Berk-Tek 144-strand laser-optimized fiber, 1,700 ft reels: Suitable for 10G Ethernet up to 300 meters, riser-rated, tight-buffered .
• Hitachi 288-fiber outdoor single-jacket cable: Reels of 17,770–17,850 ft available for bulk offers .
• Discount Fiber bulk options: OM1, OM2, OS1, OS2 fiber available by the reel with flexible lengths and competitive pricing .

Factors Affecting Reel Pricing

1. Fiber Type & Strand Count: Single-mode is cheaper per foot than multimode but supports longer distances; higher strand counts increase cost proportionally .
2. Cable Construction: Plenum-rated, armored, or gel-filled cables cost more due to safety and durability features .
3. Installation Requirements: Reels sold with pre-terminated connectors or splicing kits increase the total cost .
4. Bulk Purchase & Supplier: Buying directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors reduces per-foot cost; regional labor rates and shipping also influence pricing .

Estimated Reel Costs

• Small indoor reel (500–1,000 ft, single-mode): $125 – $1,500 depending on fiber type and pre-termination .
• Medium commercial reel (2,000–4,500 ft, multimode or single-mode): $3,000 – $22,000 including labor, splicing, and protective ducting .
• Large outdoor reels (10,000+ ft, armored or high-count): Contact suppliers for custom quotes; bulk discounts available .

Recommended Suppliers

• Surplus Traders: Offers a wide selection of new and surplus reels from brands like Corning, Prysmian, and AFL with negotiable bulk pricing .
• Discount Fiber: Specializes in bulk OM1, OM2, OS1, and OS2 fiber optic cables with fast shipping and competitive pricing .
• Primus Cable & Graybar: Provide reels with various fiber types, strand counts, and plenum/armored options; pricing available upon request .
• CableWholesale: Offers single-mode and multimode fiber reels at wholesale rates with bulk discounts . For accurate budgeting, it is recommended to specify fiber type, strand count, reel length, and installation requirements when requesting quotes from suppliers, as prices vary significantly based on these factors.