The price per unit of butterfly-shaped drop optical cable ranges from approximately $0.01 to $26.8, depending on type, fiber count, and purchase volume.

Pricing Overview

Butterfly-shaped drop optical cables, also known as figure-8 cables, are widely used in FTTH (Fiber to the Home), FTTB (Fiber to the Building), and FTTX networks. Prices vary significantly based on fiber type (single-mode or multi-mode), core count, jacket material (LSZH or armored), and whether the purchase is B2B or B2C. For bulk purchases from manufacturers on platforms like Alibaba, prices can be as low as $0.01 to $0.03 per meter for duct-type cables, while retail or smaller B2C packages may cost $0.28 per meter or higher for 100ft cables .

Factors Affecting Price

• Fiber Type: Single-mode cables (9/125 µm) are optimized for long-distance, high-bandwidth applications and may cost more than multi-mode cables (50/125 µm or 62.5/125 µm) used for short-range LAN or intra-building connections .
• Jacket Material: LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jackets are common for indoor and environmentally sensitive installations, while armored or metallic jackets provide additional protection for outdoor or high-risk environments .
• Core Count: Cables with more fiber cores (e.g., 2, 4, or 8 cores) generally have higher unit prices due to increased material and manufacturing complexity .
• Purchase Volume: Bulk orders significantly reduce the per-unit cost, especially when sourced directly from manufacturers .

Typical Applications

• Indoor Networks: Lightweight, flexible, and easy to install in offices or residential buildings.
• Outdoor-to-Indoor Transitions: Armored or duct-type butterfly cables provide durability and weather resistance for last-mile connections .
• Data Centers and Telecom Backbones: High-performance single-mode cables ensure minimal signal loss and high-speed data transmission .

Recommended Sourcing

For cost-effectiveness, especially for large-scale deployments, it is advisable to source directly from B2B platforms or manufacturers, which offer lower per-unit prices and customizable specifications. Retail platforms are more suitable for small-scale or individual installations but come at a higher per-unit cost . In summary, the price per unit of butterfly-shaped drop optical cable depends on specifications, quantity, and supplier, with a typical range from $0.01 to $26.8 per meter or unit, making bulk B2B purchases the most economical option for large deployments .