If you’re looking to future-proof your connectivity, dark fiber could be just the thing you need. These fiber optic cables can be used to create networks, providing an unparalleled level of control for businesses as demand grows.
Dark fiber cables are unused cables laid underground. Thousands of miles of these unused cables are laid under the ground all over the US. They’re known as dark fiber simply because they don’t currently have any light pulses running through them. As these cables aren’t being used for existing services, and they have no traffic on them, they can be taken advantage of.
Dark Fiber Explained
Unused fiber optic cables can now be hired out from network or service providers. It is a practice that’s rapidly growing in popularity, as increasing numbers of businesses begin to recognise the potential of using unused cables in this way.
There are many miles of cables laying unused underground, simply because companies tend to overestimate the amount of supplies and cables needed to complete initial projects. This overestimation is of course deliberate, as companies are looking to avoid an overgrowth of data in the future.
Recent advances in technology have made it possible for dark fiber cables to be put to use, with optical fiber networks making use of this additional cabling. As a result, these cables, which had previously been surplus to requirements, can perform a new and hugely valuable function.
The Benefits of Using Dark Fiber
Dark fiber gives a great level of control over your network. But that’s not the only reason to use it. Making use of previously unused fiber cables can give businesses the edge when it comes to speed, reliability and scalability too. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of dark fiber in more detail.
Customisation
When businesses use dark fiber, they have a far greater level of control. And that’s great news in terms of customisation options.
Dark fiber allows businesses to choose their own networking equipment, with protocols and specifications chosen by their own team.
Scalability
Dark fiber gives companies the opportunity to scale as and when demand grows. Both bandwidth and transmission speeds can be increased in line with growth plans, so there’s no chance of companies being limited by bandwidth restrictions when business is booming.
With dark fiber, bandwidth really is unlimited. Companies can increase capacity to upgrade equipment when needed, with no concerns about incurring extra fees or facing delays from service providers.
Reduced latency
A dark fiber network provides total control over latency. Because companies have to purchase and install transmission equipment to run these networks, they have the opportunity to connect points directly, reducing latency by a considerable margin.
This reduced latency is great news for companies that rely on lightning fast data transfers. It’s also hugely beneficial in data centers that might need to communicate quickly.
The speed of dark fiber is controlled by the owner of the lease, so companies using dark fiber no longer need to worry about competing with others for bandwidth.
Reliability
Dark fiber provides significant advantages in terms of reliability, something that’s hugely important for today’s businesses as they fight to provide a better customer experience than that of their competitors.
With dark fiber, network redundancy can be built in at any early stage to improve resilience. There are no external network providers, so faults can be immediately resolved by in-house teams without the need to wait for troubleshooting processes.
Value for money
Dark fiber is by no means a cheap option. However, it does come with considerable affordability benefits when you consider the running costs long-term.
With traditional ISP options, businesses will of course have increasing fees for the same level of service. It’s often therefore beneficial from a cost perspective to invest in dark fiber initially. If a company has a significant amount of data to transfer, the cost savings are even greater.
Security
Dark fiber networks are privately owned and operated. This means that data being transmitted via dark fiber cables cannot be tracked or recorded by any malicious organizations.
If a business is transmitting sensitive data via its network, dark fiber provides a means of doing so safely and securely. And of course, encryption can still be used to provide an extra level of protection.
Dark Fiber and Data Centers
Many data centers around the world rely on dark fiber to provide a standout service to their customers. We’ve talked through the benefits of dark fiber, and these benefits also apply to data centers themselves.
Data centers often opt for dark fiber to avoid installation costs, as these cables have already been laid. Dark fiber is also hugely advantageous when it comes to speed, something that data centers prioritize on behalf of their customers.
A huge proportion of data centers opt for dark fiber for the redundancy benefits it provides, too. Dark fiber gives an additional layer of redundancy, which can prove invaluable if disaster strikes – whether that be a natural disaster or an accident.
Things to consider
The future looks bright for dark fiber. But like anything, it’s not perfect. There are disadvantages to using dark fiber, and it does come at a cost.
Before you dive into the world of dark fiber, make sure you investigate availability in your area. Some areas do not yet have dark fiber capabilities, so it’s always worth looking into whether or not it’s an option for your business before you invest too much time and money.
Dark fiber can and does go wrong, so consider maintenance and repairs too. Technicians don’t always know the ins and outs of every dark fiber problem, and the cost implication of major repairs can be prohibitive for some companies.
Despite these disadvantages, though, the reliability of dark fiber remains a huge draw, as do the scalable bandwidth opportunities it provides. If you’re considering investing in dark fiber for your company, talk to our team for more advice and information.
