A traceable cable having a length, comprising: at least one data transmission element; a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element; and a side-emitting optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable, wherein the side-emitting optical fiber is at least partially embedded in the jacket, the side-emitting optical fiber comprising: a core having a first index of refraction; and a cladding having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, the cladding substantially surrounding the core, the cladding having an exterior surface, wherein the cladding comprises spaced apart scattering sites penetrating the exterior surface along the length of the optical fiber, wherein, when light is transmitted through the core, light scattered from the side-emitting optical fiber allows the cable to be traced along at least a portion of the length thereof, wherein an acrylic coating is applied to the cladding and the spaced apart scattering sites, characterised by the scattering sites being formed by ablated portions of the cladding and being capable of scattering light so that the scattered light is emitted from the side-emitting optical fiber at discrete locations, wherein the scattering sites are at locations spaced apart by a single unit of length in the International System of Units or Imperial System. at least one data transmission element; a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element; and a side-emitting optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable, wherein the side-emitting optical fiber is at least partially embedded in the jacket, the side-emitting optical fiber comprising: a core having a first index of refraction; and a cladding having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, the cladding substantially surrounding the core, the cladding having an exterior surface, wherein the cladding comprises spaced apart scattering sites penetrating the exterior surface along the length of the optical fiber, wherein, when light is transmitted through the core, light scattered from the side-emitting optical fiber allows the cable to be traced along at least a portion of the length thereof, wherein an acrylic coating is applied to the cladding and the spaced apart scattering sites, characterised by the scattering sites being formed by ablated portions of the cladding and being capable of scattering light so that the scattered light is emitted from the side-emitting optical fiber at discrete locations, wherein the scattering sites are at locations spaced apart by a single unit of length in the International System of Units or Imperial System. a core having a first index of refraction; and a cladding having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, the cladding substantially surrounding the core, the cladding having an exterior surface, wherein the cladding comprises spaced apart scattering sites penetrating the exterior surface along the length of the optical fiber, wherein, when light is transmitted through the core, light scattered from the side-emitting optical fiber allows the cable to be traced along at least a portion of the length thereof, wherein an acrylic coating is applied to the cladding and the spaced apart scattering sites, characterised by the scattering sites being formed by ablated portions of the cladding and being capable of scattering light so that the scattered light is emitted from the side-emitting optical fiber at discrete locations, wherein the scattering sites are at locations spaced apart by a single unit of length in the International System of Units or Imperial System.