GYTS Cable Core Count: Expert Guide for Selection & Deployment

December 16, 2025

GYTS Cable Core Count: Expert Guide for Selection & Deployment

One of the most frequently asked questions in fiber optic infrastructure projects is: “What GYTS cable core count should I choose for my project?” The answer never boils down to a single number—instead, it hinges on a mix of application demands, future scalability, installation environment, and budget constraints. GYTS (Steel Tape Armored Fiber Optic Cable) is a workhorse in outdoor communications, prized for its balance of durability and flexibility. Its core count— the number of individual optical fibers housed within the cable—directly dictates bandwidth capacity, connectivity scope, and long-term value. This guide breaks down everything needed to know about GYTS core counts, drawing on real-world project examples to help make the right choice and avoid costly mistakes.

First: How GYTS Structure Impacts Core Count Options

To understand GYTS core counts, you first need to grasp how the cable’s structure supports different fiber quantities. GYTS cables follow a tube-type design: loose optical fibers are placed inside buffer tubes (filled with water-blocking gel to prevent moisture ingress), surrounded by a steel tape armor layer, and finally encased in a polyethylene (PE) outer sheath. The steel tape armor is key here—it provides protection against crush damage, rodent bites, and accidental impact without adding excessive weight, making GYTS ideal for aerial, duct, and mild direct burial installations.

The number of buffer tubes directly limits the maximum core count of a GYTS cable. Low core count GYTS (2–24 cores) typically use a single buffer tube—simple, cost-effective, and easy to handle. Medium core counts (36–96 cores) add more buffer tubes (3–6 on average), each holding 12–16 fibers. High core counts (120–144 cores, and custom up to 288 cores) use 6–12 buffer tubes, with advanced fiber management to keep the cable flexible enough for installation. Unlike double-armored cables (like GYTA333), GYTS’s steel tape design means core count scaling is more about buffer tube quantity than armor thickness— a critical detail that affects both cost and installation feasibility.

GYTS Core Count Ranges: Detailed Breakdown with Real-World Use Cases

Over a decade of projects, I’ve seen GYTS core counts used in three distinct tiers, each tailored to specific project scales. Below is a deep dive into each range, including typical applications, installation tips, and lessons learned from on-site deployments:

1. Low Core Count GYTS (2–24 Cores): For Small-Scale, Targeted Connectivity

Low core count GYTS cables (2, 4, 6, 12, 24 cores) are the most common in residential and small commercial projects. The 12-core and 24-core options are the workhorses here—they strike the perfect balance between cost and utility. For instance, 24-core GYTS is often specified for rural housing developments, where each core supports 8–10 households via GPON technology. The single buffer tube design makes aerial installation between utility poles efficient and minimizes wind load on the poles.

Key use cases for low core count GYTS:

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) for small communities (20–200 households)
Point-to-point links between two buildings (e.g., a school and its gymnasium, a warehouse and office)
Security camera systems (4–12 cores for 16–32 HD cameras via multiplexing)
Industrial control systems (2–4 cores for connecting sensors to a PLC in small factories)

Key tip for project planning: Always opt for 24 cores over 12 if the area has any growth potential. Many projects have faced issues where a 12-core GYTS was installed for a 50-home community—within 3 years, the community expanded, and additional cable installation was required, doubling the overall cost. Spending a little more upfront for extra cores saves significant headaches later.

2. Medium Core Count GYTS (36–96 Cores): For Municipal & Enterprise Projects

Medium core count GYTS (36, 48, 60, 72, 96 cores) is where scalability meets practicality. These cables use multiple buffer tubes (e.g., 6 buffer tubes for 96 cores, 16 fibers each) and are designed for projects that serve multiple user groups. In municipal broadband projects, 96-core GYTS is commonly used for downtown areas—it supports 500+ residential connections, 20 small businesses, and 5G small cells. The multi-buffer tube design simplifies splicing: fibers can be split by neighborhood without disrupting the entire network.

Key use cases for medium core count GYTS:

Municipal FTTH rollouts (serving 200–1,000 households)
Enterprise campus networks (connecting 3–10 buildings, e.g., universities, hospitals)
Small data center interconnects (DCI) for local businesses
Telecom access networks (linking 5–10 cell towers to a local exchange)

Critical consideration: Weight and diameter matter here. A 96-core GYTS is slightly heavier than a 24-core one—for aerial installations, pole load capacity must be checked. In many municipal projects, utility poles have required reinforcement to handle the 96-core cable’s weight (around 1.2 kg/m). For duct installations, ensure the duct diameter is at least 40mm to avoid jamming during pulling.

3. High Core Count GYTS (120–144+ Cores): For Regional Backbones & Large-Scale DCIs

High core count GYTS (120, 144, and custom 192–288 cores) is reserved for projects that demand maximum bandwidth and long-term scalability. These cables use 6–12 buffer tubes and maintain GYTS’s steel tape armor, making them suitable for regional telecom backbones and large DCI projects. In typical large-scale deployments, 144-core GYTS is used to connect two data centers 50 miles apart—each core supports 100Gbps via DWDM technology, delivering terabits of capacity for cloud service providers.

Key use cases for high core count GYTS:

Regional telecom backbones (connecting cities or major exchange points)
Large-scale DCI (cloud providers, e.g., AWS, Azure regional data centers)
Smart city infrastructure (supporting traffic management, public Wi-Fi, and environmental monitoring)
Utility grid communications (power companies connecting substations across a region)

Important note for high core count deployment: High core count GYTS requires specialized installation. Splicing a 144-core cable takes 2–3x longer than a 24-core one—experienced splicers are essential to avoid signal loss. Also, for direct burial, use a trench depth of at least 1.2 meters (instead of the standard 0.8 meters) to protect the cable from heavy machinery.

Choosing the right GYTS core count isn’t about picking the highest number—it’s about matching the cable to the project’s unique needs. Below are the key factors to prioritize when making selections:

Choosing the right GYTS core count isn’t about picking the highest number—it’s about matching the cable to your project’s unique needs. Below are the factors I prioritize when advising clients:

1. Current & Future Bandwidth Demand

Calculate current bandwidth needs first: For FTTH, each household uses ~100Mbps (growing to 500Mbps by 2028). A 24-core cable can support ~200 households (via GPON). For enterprises, each employee uses ~50Mbps— a 48-core cable supports 500+ employees. Then add a 30% buffer for future growth (e.g., 5G, IoT, 8K video). Under-sizing is the #1 mistake in project planning—don’t cut corners here.

2. Installation Environment

Aerial: Stick to 2–96 cores (144-core is possible but needs pole reinforcement)
Duct: 2–144 cores (ensure duct size matches cable diameter)
Direct Burial (mild soil): 2–96 cores (avoid 144+ in rocky soil—use double-armored GYTA333 instead)

3. Budget vs. Long-Term Cost

A 24-core GYTS costs ~30% less than a 48-core one upfront, but re-installing a second cable later costs 2–3x more. Do a 5-year cost analysis: if growth is likely, pay more upfront for extra cores. For fixed-budget projects, consider “future-proofing” with a slightly higher core count (e.g., 36 cores instead of 24) to avoid upgrades.

4. Fiber Type Compatibility

GYTS uses either single-mode (SMF) or multi-mode (MMF) fibers. For most outdoor projects (long distances), use SMF (G.652D/G.657A1)—it supports 100Gbps over 100km. MMF (OM3/OM4) is only for short distances (up to 550m) in campus networks. SMF allows higher core counts (since it has a smaller core diameter), so prioritize SMF for scalability.

GYTS Core Count Technical Specifications (Aligned with International Standards)

All GYTS cables must meet IEC 60794-1 and ITU-T G.652 standards. Below is a detailed table of core count-specific specs, compiled from my project data and manufacturer guidelines:

GYTS Core Count Range	Buffer Tube Quantity	Fiber Type (Typical)	Short-Term Tensile Strength (N)	Long-Term Tensile Strength (N)	Max Attenuation (1310nm, dB/km)	Max Attenuation (1550nm, dB/km)	Cable Weight (kg/m, Approx.)	Typical Project Scale
GYTS Core Count Range	Buffer Tube Quantity	Fiber Type (Typical)	Short-Term Tensile Strength (N)	Long-Term Tensile Strength (N)	Max Attenuation (1310nm, dB/km)	Max Attenuation (1550nm, dB/km)	Cable Weight (kg/m, Approx.)	Typical Project Scale
2–24 Cores	1	G.652D/G.657A1	1500	600	0.36	0.22	0.6–0.8	Small FTTH, point-to-point links
36–96 Cores	3–6	G.652D/G.657A1	1500	600	0.36	0.22	1.0–1.2	Municipal broadband, enterprise campuses
120–144 Cores	6–8	G.652D	1800	800	0.36	0.22	1.3–1.5	Regional backbones, large DCIs
192–288 Cores (Custom)	8–12	G.652D	2000	1000	0.36	0.22	1.6–1.8	Large-scale telecom backbones

Common GYTS Core Count Myths Debunked (From On-Site Experience)

Over the years, there have been countless myths about GYTS core counts. Let’s set the record straight:

Myth 1: “Higher core count means better performance.”

Fact: Performance depends on fiber type, not core count. A 2-core GYTS with G.652D fiber delivers the same 100Gbps speed over 100km as a 144-core GYTS with the same fiber. Core count only affects capacity (number of connections), not speed or distance.

Myth 2: “GYTS can’t handle high core counts (144+ cores)."

Fact: 144-core GYTS has been successfully installed in aerial and duct projects worldwide. The key is proper installation (pole reinforcement for aerial, adequate duct size for duct). The steel tape armor provides sufficient protection—double armor (GYTA333) is only needed for rocky direct burial.

Myth 3: “Low core count GYTS is less reliable.”

Fact: Reliability comes from the cable’s structure (armor, sheath, water-blocking gel), not core count. A 24-core GYTS has the same steel tape armor and water-blocking design as a 144-core one. Many 2-core GYTS cables have maintained reliable performance for 15+ years in outdoor environments.

Myth 4: “You should always choose the maximum core count available.”

Fact: Wasted cores cost money. A 144-core GYTS for a 50-home community is overkill—you’ll pay 2–3x more upfront, and unused fibers can degrade over time. Choose a core count that matches current needs + 30% buffer.

Conclusion: How to Choose the Right GYTS Core Count

Selecting the right GYTS core count boils down to three steps: 1) Calculate current bandwidth and connectivity needs; 2) Add a 30% buffer for future growth; 3) Align with the installation environment and budget. The most successful projects are those that balance short-term cost with long-term scalability—don’t cut corners on core count if growth is likely, but don’t overspend on unused capacity. Choosing a reliable fiber optic product manufacturer is also critical to ensuring project success, as quality cables directly impact long-term performance.

Remember: GYTS is a versatile cable, but its core count must be tailored to the project. Whether deploying a small FTTH network, a municipal broadband system, or a regional backbone, the right core count ensures reliable performance, cost-effectiveness, and future-proofing. For high-quality GYTS cables and professional support, partnering with an experienced manufacturer like TTI Fiber is a wise choice.

Why Choose TTI Fiber

Founded in 2013, TTI Fiber Communication Tech. Co., Ltd., is a professional manufacturer specializing in Fiber optic products. Our factory located in Shenzhen, China, covers an area of 12,000 square meters and has obtained ISO 9001, ISO 14001, REACH, RoHS, CE and CPR certificates and so on. We have a wide range of fiber optic products, including Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optic Patch Cord, Fiber Optic Splitter, Fiber Optic Patch Panel, FTTx products, etc. We also provide professional Fiber Cabling Solutions and one-stop OEM & ODM service. Our main markets are in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Our reliable quality and sincere service are highly recognized by our clients all over the world. We cooperated with Global 500 top brands on FTTx products, and more than 30 well-known brand clients in fiber optic industry. Our products are exported to over 100 countries. We are committed to providing our clients with the best support, regardless of their business scale. Our expertise and knowledge of market trends, enables us provide technical support and matched solutions on fiber optic products. We are proud of providing excellent quality, competitive price and timely delivery.