Dark fiber is unlit fiber-optic strand that you lease and light with your own equipment, giving you full control of capacity and protocols.
Who dark Fiber is best for
This service is a strong fit for carriers, hyperscale users, campuses and enterprises with very large or growing bandwidth needs. Two proposals that look alike on price can differ sharply in service levels, support and contract flexibility, so the details deserve a careful review.
What to evaluate before you buy
- Route maps and strand counts
- Lease versus indefeasible right of use
- Maintenance terms
- Equipment and operations responsibility
How Connectivity Counsel helps
We begin with your requirements rather than a product. Our advisors document your sites and goals, identify which providers can deliver dark Fiber at your addresses, gather pricing, and present the options in a consistent format. We then support the contract, the installation and any escalation afterward. There is no charge to you for this work.
Providers we represent for dark Fiber
51 providers in our portfolio list capabilities in this area. They include:
- Accelecom
- EXA Infrastructure
- Ezee Fiber
- Fatbeam
- Fidium
- PS Lightwave
- 11:11 Systems
- altafiber
- Astound Business Solutions
- BCN
- Bluebird Fiber
- Breezeline
- Brightspeed Business
- CBTS
- Colt
- Comcast Business
- Cox
- Crown Castle (now Zayo)
- Csquare
- Dobson Fiber
- EarthLink
- Everstream
- FiberLight
- FirstLight
- Flexential
- GeoLinks
- GoNetspeed
- Lightpath
- Logix Fiber Networks
- Metronet
- Momentum Telecom
- NetWolves (now COEO Solutions)
- Ntegrated
- Ooma
- Optimum
- Pilot
- Point5
- Pure IP
- Rogers
- Segra
- Silver Star Telecom
- Skywire Networks
- Switch
- Telesystem
- Telstra
- TouchTone Business
- Uniti (formerly Windstream)
- VinaKom
Additional providers are available. See the full directory or ask an advisor.
Related connectivity services
- Dedicated Internet Access
- Business Broadband
- Fixed Wireless Internet
- Satellite Internet
- 5G and LTE Wireless Internet
- Internet Failover and Backup
- Ethernet Private Line
- MPLS
- Wavelength Services
- SD-WAN
- Network Aggregation
- Cloud Connect
Industries that rely on dark Fiber
Frequently asked questions
What is dark Fiber?
Dark fiber is unlit fiber-optic strand that you lease and light with your own equipment, giving you full control of capacity and protocols.
How much does dark Fiber cost?
Pricing depends on your locations, capacity or user counts, contract term and the provider. Connectivity Counsel gathers quotes from multiple providers for your exact requirements so you can compare real numbers instead of list prices.
How do I choose a provider for dark Fiber?
Compare providers on route maps and strand counts, lease versus indefeasible right of use and maintenance terms. An independent advisor can run that comparison for you and explain the trade-offs.
How long does it take to implement dark Fiber?
Timelines range from a few days for cloud and wireless services to several months where network construction is required. We give you a realistic schedule for each option before you sign and track the installation afterward.
Does it cost anything to use Connectivity Counsel for dark Fiber?
No. Connectivity Counsel does not charge clients for advisory, quoting or ordering support. Providers compensate us when you choose their service, and you pay the provider directly under the provider's own contract and pricing.
Is Connectivity Counsel tied to a single provider?
No. Connectivity Counsel is an independent advisor with a portfolio of more than 230 providers. Recommendations are based on your addresses, requirements, budget and timeline, and we show you competing options side by side.