in an arrangement for producing a branch in a telecommunications cable containing several stranded elements with optical fibers , at least one stranded element is cut , the optical fibers of the stranded element are spliced to the optical fibers of a branch line , and the branched area is protected with a sleeve . the branch line comprises a number of optical fibers , each of which is loosely arranged by itself in a small plastic tube . a predetermined length of the tube is removed from approximately the middle of the optical fiber elements , and each optical fiber from which the tube has been removed is stored in a cassette . the cassettes are stored in a container . the sleeve housing is stored in a container . the sleeve housing with the cassettes and the branch line with the optical fibers located in the tube are a unit which is prefabricated at the factory .