Dark Fiber vs Managed Wavelength

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Dark Fiber or Wave: Which solution suits your company?

Dark Fiber or Wave

Companies with growing data traffic are often faced with a central question: Full control with dark fiber or efficiency with wave service? Both technologies offer high-performance connectivity, but they differ fundamentally in terms of responsibility, flexibility and costs.

In a nutshell:

Dark Fiber: maximum control, but also full operating costs
Wave service: preconfigured, quickly ready for use and provider-managed
The wrong choice can lead to bottlenecks, misconfigurations or unnecessary costs

The solution: Those who understand the differences can make a targeted decision as to which fiber optic solution from our Internet portfolio is the better choice for their own application.

What this article covers: Below you can find out how Dark Fiber and Wave differ, which variants are available and how SAVECALL can find the right solution for you.

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Dark Fiber vs. Wave: The fundamental difference
What are wavelengths?
The advantages of the Wave service
FAQ

Dark Fiber vs. Wave: The fundamental difference

If you are thinking about using dark fiber or wave services, you should know the differences. With dark fiber, you have to switch on the light yourself and take over the complete management. Wave services, on the other hand, are already illuminated, the network operator takes over configuration and operation.

Dark Fiber, full control, full responsibility

Companies that want maximum capacity and full control over their connection turn to Dark Fiber. You operate your own equipment, define protocols and determine the bandwidth yourself. Changes can be made internally at any time, but the entire responsibility lies with you.

To operate your own optical fibers, you need to invest in WDM (Wavelength-Division Multiplexing) devices, which are installed at both ends. WDM enables the transmission of multiple signals at different wavelengths through a single optical fiber, allowing multiple data streams to be sent simultaneously without interfering with each other.

Wave service, managed performance with no effort on your part

With a Wave service, you get the benefits of dark fiber, without having to manage it yourself and without high investments. Multiple protocols can run in parallel while your provider takes over operations. You save time, costs and effort and still benefit from dedicated high-performance connectivity.

Faster to the right connection: individual advice, vendor-independent comparison, efficient implementation. SAVECALL accompanies you from analysis to implementation.

Two high-rise buildings at night, connected by glowing data streams - a symbol of Site Connectivity, SD-WAN and secure corporate communication through Savecall.

What are wavelengths?

Site Connectivity via a wavelength within the backbone network uses DWDM technology (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) to transmit several services in parallel and transfer them via optical interfaces (SDH, OTU, FC). Depending on the carrier, this site coupling is typically offered in two variants:

Wave

Key technical data:

Bandwidth: 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps
Coverage: Metro, national, international
Fail-safe: Unprotected / Protected
Technology: DWDM
Interfaces: Ethernet, Ethernet LAN PHY, SDH, Fibre Channel, OTU
Routing: predefined transmission routes

A Wave connection is available via metro, national and international networks. The infrastructure is not exclusively assigned to the customer. Compared to Ethernet, a Wave connection is around 20% more expensive, but offers higher performance. The next higher product is Private Wave, which is based directly on the physical fiber optic level in the backbone.

Technical diagram: Fiber optic backbone with Key Data Center, Optical PoP and Fiber Extension to Customer CPE - symbol for Site Connectivity and fiber optic solutions from Savecall.

Private Wave

Key technical data:

Bandwidth: 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps
Coverage: Metro
Fail-safe: Unprotected / Protected
Technology: WDM
Interfaces: Ethernet, SDH, Fibre Channel, OTU
Routing: customizable, incl. diversity with KMZ-supported route planning

Private Wave is only available in metro regions. Here the customer receives a dedicated, private infrastructure, ideal for companies with the highest requirements. Bandwidths are only available in fixed increments (1G, 10G, 40G, 100G).

Technical diagram: Fibre Network with Customer Dedicated Fibre and NTE between two Enterprise Sites - symbol for Dark Fiber and secure Site Connectivity with Savecall.

The advantages of the Wave service

1)

Low latency: multiple redundant routes between locations and markets

2)

Security: private, dedicated connections for maximum data security

3)

Flexibility: multiple wave options and redundant paths for business continuity

4)

Compatibility: supports Digital Hierarchy, SONET and Ethernet interfaces

5)

Proactive management: permanent monitoring for maximum availability

6)

Independence: geographically separate network points, no conflict with third-party traffic

How SAVECALL supports your fiber decision

Wave services combine the performance of dark fiber with the simplicity of a managed service. The right solution not only saves costs, but also ensures maximum performance and stability. SAVECALL finds the right option for your requirements, neutrally, quickly and efficiently. For sites with a classic point-to-point connection, it is also worth taking a look at our further underlay and fiber access solutions within the Internet portfolio.

Conclusion

Those who understand the differences between dark fiber and a wave service can make a targeted decision as to which fiber optic solution is the better choice for their own application. The wrong choice can lead to bottlenecks, misconfigurations or unnecessary costs, while the right solution secures maximum performance and stability.

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Written by

Frank Frommknecht

Key Account Consultant, SAVECALL

Has supported companies for over 20 years in selecting and optimizing their connectivity solutions. His focus: making complex telecommunications understandable from the customer’s perspective and finding the right strategic solution.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Fiber and Wave

What is the difference between dark fiber and a wave service?

With dark fiber, the company leases unlit optical fibers and manages the entire technical operation itself, including its own WDM equipment. A wave service is already lit: the network operator handles configuration and operation, while the company still benefits from dedicated high-performance connectivity without its own investment in active equipment.

When does dark fiber pay off compared to a wave service?

Dark fiber pays off for companies that want maximum capacity and full control over protocols and bandwidth and are willing to take on responsibility for operation and WDM equipment themselves. Companies that want to save time, cost and operating effort are usually better served by a provider-managed wave service.

What is the difference between Wave and Private Wave?

Wave is available via metro, national and international networks, but the infrastructure is not exclusively assigned to one customer. Private Wave is based directly on the physical fiber optic level in the backbone, is only available in metro regions, but offers dedicated, private infrastructure for companies with the highest requirements.

How much more expensive is a Wave connection compared to Ethernet?

A Wave connection is around 20 percent more expensive compared to Ethernet, but offers higher performance through DWDM technology with bandwidths from 1 to 100 Gbps. Whether the premium is worthwhile depends on actual performance requirements and the geographic coverage of the locations involved.

What investments are necessary to operate dark fiber?

Operating your own optical fibers requires investment in WDM (Wavelength-Division Multiplexing) devices, installed at both ends of the connection. WDM enables the transmission of multiple signals at different wavelengths through a single optical fiber, so several data streams can be sent simultaneously without interfering with each other.

How does SAVECALL support the choice between dark fiber and wave?

SAVECALL provides individual, vendor-independent advice, compares the available options objectively and accompanies you from analysis to implementation. This helps you find the fiber optic solution that neutrally, quickly and efficiently matches your actual requirements for control, performance and operating effort.