What is a primary benefit of using loose-tube fiber cable in installations?

The primary benefit of using loose-tube fiber cable in installations lies in its ability to protect the optical fibers from environmental factors such as moisture, temperature variations, and physical stress. Loose-tube cables have individual tubes that allow the fibers to move freely, which helps to mitigate stress and strain during installation and in fluctuating temperatures. This design also permits for thermal expansion and contraction without damaging the fibers, ensuring their integrity over time.

Although loose-tube cables can indeed offer advantages in fiber count and connection capacity, those aspects are secondary to the critical protection offered against adverse environmental conditions. This makes loose-tube cables particularly suitable for outdoor and harsh environments where moisture and other elements could impact performance. The other options do not sufficiently address the key functionalities of loose-tube cables when compared to their protection capabilities.