Dark Fiber Market Size

Dark Fiber Market was valued at USD 6 billion in 2023 and is set to grow at over 12% CAGR between 2024 and 2032, driven by the growing expansion of data centers. Data centers need reliable and fast connectivity solutions owing to the rising data demands. With the bandwidth and low-latency connections required to support the constantly increasing volumes of data generated & processed by contemporary data center infrastructure, dark fiber offers a scalable and effective solution. The solution also drives the need for dark fiber deployment among telecom and networking industries.

The market for dark fiber is expanding rapidly due to the growing need for fast internet. Data transmission that is quicker and more dependable is becoming a rising necessity as consumers and businesses depend on bandwidth-intensive services and applications such as cloud computing & video streaming. The ability of dark fiber to provide high-speed, low-latency connections makes it essential for satisfying the growing need for quick and seamless connectivity solutions.

Competition from existing infrastructures, such as traditional leased-line services, is a barrier to the dark fiber industry. Convincing future consumers to adopt dark fiber solutions may be difficult given the presence of established communication technologies and networks. To overcome this competition, companies must be convinced of the superiority of exclusive, unshared optical fiber connectivity over traditional alternatives by emphasizing the special benefits of dark fiber such as increased bandwidth and flexibility.

Dark Fiber Market Trends

The market for dark fiber has been influenced by several significant trends. The rise in data-intensive applications and services is driving the demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity. Dark fiber is becoming essential to provide scalable, effective, and customizable connectivity solutions as data centers grow quickly. Data transmission capacity over dark fiber networks is also enhanced by developments in optical networking technologies such as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM).

The development of strategic partnerships & collaborations between prominent industry players and dark fiber providers indicates a growing trend of cultivating synergies to augment the reach & capabilities of networks. Furthermore, as stakeholders consider the environmental effects of dark fiber deployment, the market is focusing on sustainability, encouraging a trend toward eco-friendly practices and technologies within the industry.

Dark Fiber Market Analysis

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Based on type, the, single mode segment accounted for a market share of over 30% in 2023, due to its ability to transmit data over longer distances with minimal signal loss. As it can send data over longer distances with less signal loss, single mode is witnessing significant growth. Single-mode dark fibers are essential for supporting applications such as data centers, telecommunications networks, and high-performance computing as the need for fast, long-distance communication grows. Due to its effectiveness in sending signals over long distances, it is a favored option for backbone networks.

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Based on network type, the long-haul networks segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 12% through 2032. The demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity across large geographic distances is driving significant growth in the long-haul networks segment. Applications including intercity data transport, mobile network backhaul, and data center connectivity are all made possible by long-haul dark fiber networks. The demand for efficient & dependable connectivity over long distances is driving the adoption of long-haul dark fibers and substantially propelling the overall market growth as a result of the global expansion of data-intensive services and growing reliance on cloud computing.

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Asia Pacific dominated the global dark fiber market with a major share of over 25% in 2023, due to factors such as rising internet usage, fast urbanization, and rising demand for high-speed connectivity. The need for dependable and scalable dark fiber networks is fueled by the region's growing data center infrastructure as well as the uptake of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and IoT. Government initiatives in smart city development and digital transformation are further propelling market growth. Dark fiber providers find ample opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, meeting the changing connectivity needs of various industries as businesses look for cost-effective data transmission solutions.

Dark Fiber Market Share

CenturyLink, Inc. and Colt Technology Services hold a significant market share of over 25% in the dark fiber business. CenturyLink, Inc. is a prominent player in the dark fiber landscape, offering extensive network infrastructure and connectivity solutions. With a focus on high-speed data transmission, CenturyLink caters to the growing demand for dark fiber services, contributing to the market dynamic.

Colt Technology Services is a prominent player in the dark fiber landscape, offering high-bandwidth connectivity solutions. Known for its extensive fiber network, Colt provides businesses with reliable and scalable dark fiber infrastructure, catering to the increasing demand for seamless, high-speed connectivity across various industries in the telecommunications & data center sectors.

Dark Fiber Market Companies

Major players operating in the dark fiber industry are:

• CenturyLink, Inc.
• Colt Technology Services
• Crown Castle
• FirstLight Fiber
• GTT Communications, Inc.
• NTT Communications Corporation
• Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
  

Dark Fiber Industry News

• In January 2024, Bandwidth IG announced that its latest network expansion will deliver over 310 route miles and more than two million fiber miles to one of the largest data center markets in the world. Bandwidth IG’s new fiber network will include the first marine cable laid in over 20 years under the San Francisco Bay, with a high-capacity fiber ring that connects Great Oaks and Santa Clara, up the East Bay and Peninsula. It ties into downtown San Francisco to create the newest and highest-capacity fiber ring in the Bay Area.
  
• In October 2021, Zayo Group, LLC completed three new long-haul dark fiber routes from Denver to Salt Lake City, Atlanta to Dallas, and Eugene to Reedsport. The long-haul network is driven by continuously growing investments, the development of smart cities, and strong competitive dynamics in the market.
  

This dark fiber market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Single Mode
• Multi-mode
• Step-index Multimode Fiber
• Graded-index Multimode Fiber

Market, By Network Type

• Metro Networks
• Long-haul Networks

Market, By Material

• Glass
• Plastic

Market, By End User

• BFSI
• Healthcare
• IT & Telecommunication
• Military & Aerospace
• Oil & Gas
• Transportation
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA