A method of installing cable on a cable reel apparatus that includes providing a pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable for installing on a separable cable reel. The cable reel includes a first flange that is configured to be rotatably coupled to a first frame, and the first flange has opposite inner and outer sides, and a second flange that is separate from the first flange and is configured to be rotatably coupled to a second frame, and the second flange has opposite inner and outer sides. One of the first and second flanges includes a hub portion that extends transversely from the inner side thereof. The method also includes instructing a user to releasably couple the first and second flanges to support the pre-wound, reel-lees coil of cable on the hub portion between the first and second flanges along the central longitudinal axis of the separable cable reel.