Corning SST-Ribbon™ gel-free cables represent a truly innovative breakthrough in outside plant cable technology. Providing up to 216 fibers in a compact design, the enhanced coupling features ensure the ribbon stack and cable act as one unit, providing long-term reliability in aerial, duct and direct-buried applications. These features also minimize ribbon movement in situations where cable vibration may occur. The cable consists of a single buffer tube containing a stack of up to eighteen 12-fiber ribbons wrapped within a water-swellable foam tape and surrounded by a second water-swellable tape. Dielectric strength members located 180 degrees apart under the cable jacket provide tensile and anti-buckling strength. The cable is jacketed with a black UV-resistant polyethylene sheath. The 12-fiber ribbons have readily identifiable ribbon IDs and fiber colors and geometries that result in excellent mass-splicing yields.