Fiber optic cable reels are essential tools in the telecommunications and cable installation industries, designed to facilitate the handling, storage, and transportation of fiber optic cables. Where reels are supplied with protective material fitted over the cable, the protection should remain in place until the cable will be installed. During installation, all curvatures should be smooth. Turn-backs and all sharp changes of direction. This Applications Engineering Note (AE Note) addresses common issues regarding cable pay-off during outside plant installations known as cable squirting, cable tangling during payoff, and reel storage. A check list is also provided to cover these plus other issues that are related to placing cable. Fiber optic cables have Kevlar aramid yarn or a fiberglass rod as their strength member.