As we all know, fiberoptic technology is beginning to find appropriate applications in CATV. As this technology comes out of the laboratories and into use over the next decade, the local system technical people will learn to deal with it on a daily basis. One aspect of this technology is the installation and maintenance of the fiber cable plant itself. During the next few minutes, we will discuss the fundamental physical characteristics of glass fiber and the resultant cable designs, installation practices and maintenance practices that will yield success.