According to some embodiments an optical waveguide fiber comprises (i) a Ge free core having an effective area of 100 μm2to 150 μm2, at 1550 nm wavelength, said core comprising: a) a central core region extending radially outwardly from a centerline to a radius r1, and having a relative refractive index percent profile Δ1(r) in % measured relative to pure silica, wherein −0.1%≦Δ1(r)≦0.12%, wherein the central core region has a maximum relative refractive index percent, Δ1MAX; (b) a first annular core region surrounding and directly adjacent to the central core region, having an α value 1.5≦α≦10, and extending to an outer radius r2, wherein 6 μm≦r2≦10 μm, and having a relative refractive index percent profile, Δ2(r) in % measured relative to pure silica, a minimum relative refractive index Δ2MIN, a maximum relative refractive index Δ2MAX and the relative refractive index measured at a radius r=2 μm, wherein 0.45≦Δ2≦0; −0.25≧Δ2MIN≧−0.45 and Δ1MAX≧Δ2(r=2 μm); (c) a fluorine doped second annular region surrounding and directly adjacent to the first annular core region and extending to a radius 20 μm≦r3≦30 μm and having a negative relative refractive index percent profile, Δ3(r) in %, measured relative to pure silica, with a minimum relative refractive index percent Δ3MIN and −0.5%