The present invention embraces an optical fiber that includes a central core having an alpha-index profile with respect to an outer cladding. The optical fiber also includes an inner cladding, a depressed trench, and an outer cladding. Typically, the alpha-index profile of the central core is interrupted at a point having a positive refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding. The optical fiber achieves reduced bending losses and a high bandwidth with a reduced cladding effect for high-data-rate applications.