High-Capacity Dark Fiber Networks
Dark Fiber is unlit fiber optic cables that have been installed but are currently not in use by a fiber provider. These fiber connections are called “dark” because they do not carry any light signals. Being unlit, dark fiber as a result is not actively transmitting data or providing any services, unlike lit fiber connections. Dark fiber services are leases of this unused network capacity from a fiber provider on a monthly or yearly basis. Customers of dark fiber services must provide and manage the optical equipment needed to light the fiber and make it usable for point-to-point data transmission.
The use of dark fiber networks is typically by larger organizations with large bandwidth requirements, such as the Fortune 500, government agencies, educational institutions, data centers, cloud application providers, ISP’s, and telecom carriers. Dark fiber solutions provide high bandwidth, low latency, and secure, dedicated connectivity between sites. Customers fully manage the application and network control, which allows them to deploy network capacity rapidly when needed. DWDM is the technology that enables this high bandwidth capacity as well as the availability of multiple connections over a single strand of fiber. Network control, scalability, as well as virtually unlimited bandwidth are the major benefits of dark fiber connections.
The availability of dark fiber networks is based on unused fiber capacity, which in many areas is in short supply. Most dark fiber providers limit the number of leases available and prefer to offer lit fiber services since that provides the highest ROI for network buildouts. Providers typically install dark fiber in metro areas, between data centers, and along major fiber routes. Dark fiber pricing is based on a few factors including availability of excess capacity, location, overall fiber distance, and the lease term. Purchasing optical equipment and hiring in-house IT resources add significant costs to your project. These factors can shift your financial model from a simple service fee to a deeper investment in infrastructure and expertise when comparing dark vs lit fiber services. Dark Fiber solutions are also known as a Unlit Fiber, Black Fiber or Unused Fiber.
Features & Benefits of Dark Fiber Services
- Virtually Unlimited Bandwidth
- Full Network Transparency & Control
- High Reliability & Low Latency
- Secure Data Connectivity
- Fixed Cost for Usage
What is Dark Fiber Used For?
- Large Bandwidth Networks
- Private Layer 1 Data Connections
- Low Latency Point to Point Applications
- ISP & Telecom Infrastructure
- Connecting Data Centers
- Metro Fiber Networks
Why Partner with bSimplify for Dark Fiber Solutions?
-
100+ Unbiased Providers: Access to highly sought-after, unlit fiber capacity from over 100 industry-leading carriers, guaranteeing the widest selection and best availability.
- Fiber Availability Insights: Use our interactive fiber map to explore nearby fiber networks and lit buildings before narrowing down your options.
-
No-Cost Consulting Model: Expert network design, strategic procurement, and complex contract negotiation are provided at no direct cost to you.
-
Hassle-Free Selection and Procurement: bSimplify handles all contracts, paperwork, and submissions to save you both internal resources and time.