A 1,000-foot roll of fiber optic cable typically costs between $90 and $6,000 depending on fiber type, strand count, and construction.

Price Range by Cable Type

• Single-mode fiber (OS2): $0.09 to $1.52 per foot for bulk purchases, making a 1,000-foot roll roughly $90 to $1,520 .
• Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4): $1.50 to $6.00 per foot, so a 1,000-foot roll can cost $1,500 to $6,000 .
• Low-cost bulk options: Some suppliers offer raw single-mode duplex cable for around $0.10–$0.50 per foot, which translates to $100–$500 per 1,000-foot spool .

Factors Affecting Cost

1. Fiber Strand Count: Higher strand counts increase price. For example, a 12-strand cable may cost $0.50 per foot, while a 24-strand cable can reach $1.00 per foot .
2. Cable Construction: Armored or outdoor-rated cables are more expensive than indoor riser-rated cables. Armored cables can range from $0.50 to $5 per foot .
3. Installation Considerations: Prices above are for materials only. Including installation, trenching, splicing, and connectors can raise total costs significantly, sometimes exceeding $3 per foot for indoor runs or $11,000–$14,500 for premium outdoor projects .
4. Pre-Terminated vs Raw Cable: Pre-terminated cables cost 20–30% more but reduce labor costs during installation .

Practical Example

• Indoor 1,000-foot single-mode run: Cable $0.40/ft, labor $1.00/ft, permits $150, accessories $100 → Total ≈ $2,650–$3,100 .
• Outdoor 2,000-foot run with conduit: Cable $0.70/ft, labor $1.60/ft, permits $350, delivery $120, accessories $250 → Total ≈ $4,940–$6,120 . In summary, the cost of a whole roll of optical cable varies widely based on fiber type, strand count, cable construction, and whether installation is included, with raw 1,000-foot rolls ranging from $90 to $6,000 and fully installed runs costing several thousand dollars more.