Belden Inc. (NYSE: BDC) has launched the PPC DiamonDrop, a single-fiber drop cable intended for last-mile broadband installations in aerial and underground environments, according to a company press release.

The cable features a core design that allows its jacket to peel away when exposing the 900 µm buffered fiber, which the company says reduces cable preparation time and the risk of fiber damage. No special tools are required for the process.

DiamonDrop is compatible with most industry-standard connectors and hardware. It carries a weather- and UV-resistant jacket rated for outside plant use and supports aerial spans of up to 150 feet under National Electrical Safety Code heavy load conditions. The cable is also suited for underground conduit and direct burial applications.

The product is RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant, with Build America, Buy America (BABA)-compliant options available.

Target markets include telecom providers, rural broadband initiatives, and data infrastructure projects.

"DiamonDrop was designed to remove one of the most common pain points in last-mile fiber work – cable prep and termination – so crews can complete installations with greater confidence and consistency in both aerial and underground environments," said Doug Jones, VP of Product and Innovation for Belden Broadband Solutions.

Belden is headquartered in St. Louis and operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.