How Many Cores Does a GYTA Cable Have? A Practical Guide for 2025

November 13, 2025

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How Many Cores Does a GYTA Cable Have? A Practical Guide for 2025

When planning outdoor fiber networks—whether for duct installations, aerial deployments, or direct burial—one critical question arises: How many cores does a GYTA cable offer? As a staple loose-tube armored fiber optic cable, GYTA is celebrated for its flexibility in core counts, tailored to everything from small building connections to large-scale backbone networks. This guide breaks down standard core configurations, real-world applications, and key factors to choose the right number.

1. Standard Core Count Range for GYTA Cables

GYTA cables typically range from 2 to 144 cores for most commercial applications, with specialized custom options extending to 288 cores or even 576 cores for high-density projects . The most widely adopted configurations cluster into three practical categories:

1.1 Low Core Counts (2–24 Cores)

These are the go-to for small-scale, point-to-point connections. 2-core and 4-core GYTA cables work perfectly for linking individual buildings, rural broadband access, or small office campus networks. 12-core and 24-core variants shine in residential FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) deployments, where each fiber supports multiple households or basic surveillance data streams . Their compact design keeps weight low (as little as 90 kg/km for 2-core) and eases installation in tight ducts .

1.2 Medium Core Counts (36–72 Cores)

The sweet spot for regional and enterprise networks. 36-core and 48-core GYTA cables are favored for urban distribution grids, industrial park connectivity, and interoffice backbones. They balance bandwidth and practicality, supporting concurrent data, voice, and video traffic . 60–72 core options cater to larger campuses or metro area links, where multiple departments or neighborhoods share the network without sacrificing speed.

1.3 High Core Counts (96–144+ Cores)

Built for high-capacity backbone networks and dense urban deployments. 96-core and 144-core GYTA cables power cross-city communication links, data center interconnects, and 5G backhaul networks . Specialized 288-core variants are used for hyperscale projects, while a handful of manufacturers offer custom 576-core designs for extreme-density needs . These high-core cables feature layered loose tubes around a central strength member, maintaining durability despite their higher fiber density .

2. Key Factors That Shape GYTA Core Count Choices

2.1 Cable Structure Limitations

GYTA’s loose-tube stranded design dictates core capacity. Each PBT loose tube typically holds up to 12 fibers, with the number of tubes (plus fillers) determining total cores . Standard designs top out at 12 tubes for 144 cores, while double-layered tube configurations enable 288+ cores . This structure ensures fibers stay protected from stress, even in high-core designs.

2.2 Installation Environment

Direct burial or aerial deployments with long spans (over 100 meters) often use 2–48 core cables to reduce mechanical stress—higher core counts add weight (144-core GYTA weighs ~265 kg/km) and wind/ice load risk . Duct installations, however, can handle high-core cables easily, as the duct supports the weight and shields from environmental strain.

2.3 Bandwidth and Future Scalability

A rural broadband line might only need 2–4 cores for basic 1Gbps speeds, but a 5G macrocell site requires 24–36 cores to handle IoT devices and high-definition streaming . Most network planners add 20–30% extra cores—opting for 48 cores instead of 36, for example—to avoid costly cable replacements as demand grows.

2.4 Industry Standards and Compatibility

GYTA cables adhere to IEC 60794 and YD/T 901 standards, which govern core count increments and performance . While custom core counts are available, sticking to standard increments (12, 24, 48, 72, 144) ensures compatibility with splicing tools and transceivers.

3. Real-World Examples of GYTA Core Count Selection

  • Residential FTTH: A mid-sized neighborhood uses 24-core GYTA, with each fiber splitting to 8–16 households via a PLC splitter .
  • Industrial Park: A manufacturing complex deploys 48-core GYTA to connect production lines, office buildings, and security systems, with spare cores for future automation upgrades .
  • Metro Backbone: A city’s 5G network relies on 144-core GYTA to link 20+ macrocell sites, supporting tens of thousands of concurrent users .
  • Rural Broadband: A remote community uses 4-core GYTA for point-to-point access, leveraging the cable’s moisture resistance to withstand harsh weather .

4. Common Myths About GYTA Core Counts

  • Myth 1: More cores mean less reliability. Reality: High-core GYTA cables meet the same mechanical standards (1500–3000 N short-term tensile strength) as low-core variants, with aluminum armor ensuring protection .
  • Myth 2: Custom core counts are hard to source. Reality: Most manufacturers offer custom core counts (e.g., 18, 60, 84 cores) with minimum orders as low as 1 km .
  • Myth 3: GYTA can’t handle high-core direct burial. Reality: 144-core GYTA retains crush resistance (1000 N/100 mm short-term) and moisture protection, making it suitable for direct burial when properly rated .

5. How to Choose the Right GYTA Core Count

  1. Map current bandwidth needs: Calculate total data from all devices, then add 20–30% for growth.
  2. Match to installation type: Opt for 2–48 cores for aerial/long-span direct burial; 72+ cores work for duct deployments.
  3. Check structure compatibility: Ensure your chosen core count aligns with loose-tube design (e.g., 144 cores = 12 tubes × 12 fibers).
  4. Prioritize standard increments for easier splicing and maintenance.

Conclusion

GYTA cables offer unmatched flexibility in core counts, ranging from 2 to 576+ cores to fit every outdoor network need. The right choice hinges on your project’s scale, installation environment, and future growth plans—not just current demand. Whether you’re connecting a small office or building a city’s 5G backbone, GYTA’s core count versatility, paired with its aluminum armor and moisture resistance, makes it a reliable, long-lasting solution. By balancing practicality and scalability, you’ll select a core count that serves your network today and adapts to tomorrow’s demands.