Fiber optic cable on overhead poles should be U-shaped expansion bend every 3-5 poles. As a leading provider of fiber optic solutions, we understand the technical nuances that define successful overhead cable setups. This comprehensive guide delves. Where reels are supplied with protective material fitted over the cable, the protection should remain in place until the cable will be installed. Select the best installation method—direct burial, aerial, conduit, or underwater—based on your environment and future network needs. Instead of burying the cables underground, they are suspended above the ground, often attached to existing utility poles or other structures.