Dark Fiber Market by Fiber Type (Multimode Fiber, Single Mode Fiber), Network Type (Long Haul, Metro), Material, End-user - Global Forecast 2024-2030

Dark Fiber Market by Fiber Type (Multimode Fiber, Single Mode Fiber), Network Type (Long Haul, Metro), Material, End-user - Global Forecast 2024-2030


The Dark Fiber Market size was estimated at USD 7.16 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 8.09 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 13.24% to reach USD 17.12 billion by 2030.

Dark fiber, also known as unlit fiber, refers to a spare network fiber utilized in telecom and network communications and is a point-to-point connectivity option for securely delivering high-speed data applications. Unlimited bandwidth, high scalability, complete network control, and support cloud capabilities are the significant benefits of dark fiber. Universities and other government organizations frequently choose dark fiber to build their networks due to the improved security and flexibility of administering their networks directly. However, complicated installation and inadequate monitoring systems have impeded the expansion of the technology. The dark fiber industry is driven by increasing internet service penetration, a desire for dependable and secure networks, and rising demand for internet bandwidth. Furthermore, technical improvements and the growing demand for intensive data handling in manufacturing and logistics provide additional room for the dark fiber market to expand. Moreover, dark fiber is scalable and allows the creation of a personalized network for organizations without investing in fiber-optic infrastructure. Fueled by 5G, edge computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and ultra-high-definition video, many enterprises are increasingly turning their attention toward investing in dark fiber connectivity.

Regional Insights

The dark fiber market in the Americas is proliferating with exponentially increasing expansion scenarios in the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and other countries. The rising demand for dark fiber networks in North America has helped companies grow significantly as consumers become more aware of the advantages of dark fibers and with ongoing digital transformation activities. In the Americas region, market players from different sectors are forming agreements and working together with dark fiber providers as the market provides an opportunity to diversify the business and use the fiber network. Asia-Pacific countries such as Japan, South Korea, and some parts of China are gradually shifting their focus toward adopting dark fiber networks by increasing consumer awareness of the technology and making regulatory changes. In this context, the BharatNet project made an effort to raise awareness in rural areas of the nation as part of the government of India's Digital India program to provide a high-speed connection to rural areas at reasonable costs. In Europe, dark fiber demand is rising as digital infrastructure components such as data centers, edge computing, and mobile infrastructure become more prevalent. The European Commission supports the adoption of innovative technologies and advancements as it directly contributes to the growth of the national economy.

Market Insights
  • Market Dynamics

    The market dynamics represent an ever-changing landscape of the Dark Fiber Market by providing actionable insights into factors, including supply and demand levels. Accounting for these factors helps design strategies, make investments, and formulate developments to capitalize on future opportunities. In addition, these factors assist in avoiding potential pitfalls related to political, geographical, technical, social, and economic conditions, highlighting consumer behaviors and influencing manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions.
    • Market Drivers
      • Increased requirements of data and need for high-capacity internet services
      • Partnerships between local governments and market players for dark fiber access
      • High use of connected devices across enterprises and smart homes
      • Market Restraints
        • Complex installation and maintenance of dark fibers
        • Market Opportunities
          • Ongoing R&D and technological advancement in dark fibers with the introduction of 5G
          • Growing investments in hyperscale data centers and availability of custom dark fiber
          • Market Challenges
            • Unstructured regulations regarding the use and ownership of dark fiber
            • Market Segmentation Analysis
              • Fiber Type: Growing demand for multimode fiber for use in local-area network (LAN) systems and video surveillance
              • Network Type: Rising adoption of metro networks for connecting locations within a metropolitan area
              • Material: Rising application of glass optical fibers for long-haul and metropolitan networks
              • End-user: Wider adoption of dark fibers for supporting mission-critical operation
              • Market Disruption Analysis
              • Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
              • Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
              • Pricing Analysis
              • Technology Analysis
              • Patent Analysis
              • Trade Analysis
              • Regulatory Framework Analysis
              FPNV Positioning Matrix

              The FPNV positioning matrix is essential in evaluating the market positioning of the vendors in the Dark Fiber Market. This matrix offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining critical metrics related to business strategy and product satisfaction. This in-depth assessment empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success, namely Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

              Market Share Analysis

              The market share analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth assessment of the current state of vendors in the Dark Fiber Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions, companies are offered a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. These contributions include overall revenue, customer base, and other vital metrics. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With these illustrative details, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

              Recent Developments
              • Lumen Wins USD 110 million Contract from Defense Information Systems Agency

                Lumen Technologies secured a lucrative contract valued at approximately USD 110 million with the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This contract entrusts Lumen with the critical responsibility of enhancing and maintaining DISA's sophisticated fiber-optic backbone infrastructure. This significant win involves Lumen overseeing an extensive range of services, including the operation of colocation facilities, management of dark fiber, and the provision of a robust end-to-end network infrastructure. Additionally, Lumen is tasked with the strategic expansion of new fiber routes and bringing technological advancements into system upgrades. These enhancements are aimed at bolstering network resilience, reducing latency, and improving overall service availability. This new agreement serves as a continuation of Lumen's partnership with DISA, expanding on an established history of delivering secure network solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense.

                Zayo to Expand Fiber Network Infrastructure Across the Nation

                Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. is spearheading the evolution of network infrastructure critical for powering a digital-first future. With a comprehensive strategic initiative, the company has unveiled extensive enhancements to its autonomous fiber network. This initiative encompasses the establishment of new long-haul dark fiber routes, bolstering the fiber capacity of extant pathways, and the integration of state-of-the-art 400 Gbps (400G)-ready routes, alongside the creation of additional internet protocol (IP) points of presence (PoPs). This forward-thinking expansion is pivotal for delivering the superior speed, unmatched resilience, and the requisite agility that Zayo's customers necessitate to excel in an era propelled by relentless digital demands.

                Bandwidth IG Adds Third Fully Diverse Dark Fiber Route to Its San Francisco Bay Area Network

                Bandwidth IG has recently added a third fully diverse dark fiber route to its San Francisco Bay Area network. This significant expansion means that Bandwidth IG's customers can expect an even more reliable and resilient network infrastructure. With the increase in data traffic demands, particularly due to the current pandemic, having a robust and diverse network is more essential than ever before. The addition of this new route demonstrates Bandwidth IG's continued commitment to meeting its customers' needs and supporting the growth of the digital economy.
              Strategy Analysis & Recommendation

              The strategic analysis is essential for organizations seeking a solid foothold in the global marketplace. Companies are better positioned to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations by thoroughly evaluating their current standing in the Dark Fiber Market. This critical assessment involves a thorough analysis of the organization’s resources, capabilities, and overall performance to identify its core strengths and areas for improvement.

              Key Company Profiles

              The report delves into recent significant developments in the Dark Fiber Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include AT&T Inc., Cloudscene Pty Ltd., Cologix, Inc., Colt Technology Services Group Limited, Comcast Corporation, Consolidated Communications, Crown Castle Inc., Dark Fibre Africa (Pty) Ltd., Dobson, Equinix, Inc., euNetworks Group Limited, Eurofiber Group, FiberLight LLC, FirstLight, Frontier Communications Parent, Inc., GasLINE GmbH & Co. KG, GlobalConnect Group, Lumen Technologies, LuxConnect S.A., Lyntia Networks S.A.U., MOX Networks, LLC, Neos Network Limited, NGN GmbH & Co KG, Southern Company, Sterlite Power Transmission Limited, Superloop Limited, Ufinet Latam S.L.U., Verizon, Windstream Intellectual Property Services, LLC, Xenith IG, and Zayo Group, LLC.

              Market Segmentation & Coverage

              This research report categorizes the Dark Fiber Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:
              • Fiber Type
                • Multimode Fiber
                • Single Mode Fiber
                • Network Type
                  • Long Haul
                  • Metro
                  • Material
                    • Glass
                    • Plastic
                    • End-user
                      • Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
                      • Healthcare
                      • IT & Telecommunications
                      • Military & Aerospace
                      • Oil & Gas
                      • Railway
                      • Region
                        • Americas
                          • Argentina
                          • Brazil
                          • Canada
                          • Mexico
                          • United States
                            • California
                            • Florida
                            • Illinois
                            • New York
                            • Ohio
                            • Pennsylvania
                            • Texas
                            • Asia-Pacific
                              • Australia
                              • China
                              • India
                              • Indonesia
                              • Japan
                              • Malaysia
                              • Philippines
                              • Singapore
                              • South Korea
                              • Taiwan
                              • Thailand
                              • Vietnam
                              • Europe, Middle East & Africa
                                • Denmark
                                • Egypt
                                • Finland
                                • France
                                • Germany
                                • Israel
                                • Italy
                                • Netherlands
                                • Nigeria
                                • Norway
                                • Poland
                                • Qatar
                                • Russia
                                • Saudi Arabia
                                • South Africa
                                • Spain
                                • Sweden
                                • Switzerland
                                • Turkey
                                • United Arab Emirates
                                • United Kingdom


                                Please Note: PDF & Excel + Online Access - 1 Year


1. Preface
1.1. Objectives of the Study
1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage
1.3. Years Considered for the Study
1.4. Currency & Pricing
1.5. Language
1.6. Stakeholders
2. Research Methodology
2.1. Define: Research Objective
2.2. Determine: Research Design
2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument
2.4. Collect: Data Source
2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation
2.6. Formulate: Data Verification
2.7. Publish: Research Report
2.8. Repeat: Report Update
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Overview
5. Market Insights
5.1. Market Dynamics
5.1.1. Drivers
5.1.1.1. Increased requirements of data and need for high-capacity internet services
5.1.1.2. Partnerships between local governments and market players for dark fiber access
5.1.1.3. High use of connected devices across enterprises and smart homes
5.1.2. Restraints
5.1.2.1. Complex installation and maintenance of dark fibers
5.1.3. Opportunities
5.1.3.1. Ongoing R&D and technological advancement in dark fibers with the introduction of 5G
5.1.3.2. Growing investments in hyperscale data centers and availability of custom dark fiber
5.1.4. Challenges
5.1.4.1. Unstructured regulations regarding the use and ownership of dark fiber
5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis
5.2.1. Fiber Type: Growing demand for multimode fiber for use in local-area network (LAN) systems and video surveillance
5.2.2. Network Type: Rising adoption of metro networks for connecting locations within a metropolitan area
5.2.3. Material: Rising application of glass optical fibers for long-haul and metropolitan networks
5.2.4. End-user: Wider adoption of dark fibers for supporting mission-critical operation
5.3. Market Trend Analysis
5.4. Cumulative Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict
5.5. Cumulative Impact of High Inflation
5.6. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.6.1. Threat of New Entrants
5.6.2. Threat of Substitutes
5.6.3. Bargaining Power of Customers
5.6.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
5.6.5. Industry Rivalry
5.7. Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
5.8. Regulatory Framework Analysis
5.9. Client Customization
6. Dark Fiber Market, by Fiber Type
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Multimode Fiber
6.3. Single Mode Fiber
7. Dark Fiber Market, by Network Type
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Long Haul
7.3. Metro
8. Dark Fiber Market, by Material
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Glass
8.3. Plastic
9. Dark Fiber Market, by End-user
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
9.3. Healthcare
9.4. IT & Telecommunications
9.5. Military & Aerospace
9.6. Oil & Gas
9.7. Railway
10. Americas Dark Fiber Market
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Argentina
10.3. Brazil
10.4. Canada
10.5. Mexico
10.6. United States
11. Asia-Pacific Dark Fiber Market
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Australia
11.3. China
11.4. India
11.5. Indonesia
11.6. Japan
11.7. Malaysia
11.8. Philippines
11.9. Singapore
11.10. South Korea
11.11. Taiwan
11.12. Thailand
11.13. Vietnam
12. Europe, Middle East & Africa Dark Fiber Market
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Denmark
12.3. Egypt
12.4. Finland
12.5. France
12.6. Germany
12.7. Israel
12.8. Italy
12.9. Netherlands
12.10. Nigeria
12.11. Norway
12.12. Poland
12.13. Qatar
12.14. Russia
12.15. Saudi Arabia
12.16. South Africa
12.17. Spain
12.18. Sweden
12.19. Switzerland
12.20. Turkey
12.21. United Arab Emirates
12.22. United Kingdom
13. Competitive Landscape
13.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023
13.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023
13.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis
13.3.1. Lumen Wins USD 110 million Contract from Defense Information Systems Agency
13.3.2. Zayo to Expand Fiber Network Infrastructure Across the Nation
13.3.3. Bandwidth IG Adds Third Fully Diverse Dark Fiber Route to Its San Francisco Bay Area Network
13.3.4. euNetworks to Expand Dark Fibre Network With Belgian Acquisition
13.3.5. SummitIG Launches New, Dark Fiber Infrastructure in Greater Columbus
13.3.6. DFA and BCS Group partner for Zim backbone project
13.3.7. Zayo Unveils Latest Series of Infrastructure Expansions with 22 New Long-Haul Dark Fiber, 400G, and Transpacific Subsea Routes
13.3.8. Introducing Crosstown Fiber: A Chicagoland Dark Fiber Infrastructure Developer
13.3.9. Santee Cooper Applied for National Broadband Infrastructure Grant
13.3.10. Relined, GasLINE Jointly Offer Dark Fiber in Germany and the Netherlands
13.3.11. DigitalBridge and Columbia Capital Launch Xenith IG Fiber Platform in APAC
13.3.12. DC BLOX Acquires Network Assets from Light Source Communications and Ascendant Fiber Capital
13.3.13. Uniti Announces Dark Fiber Sale to Leading Network Infrastructure Provider
14. Competitive Portfolio
14.1. Key Company Profiles
14.2. Key Product Portfolio

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