Guide for dark fiber networks
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
Why conventional networks no longer meet the increasing requirements
Companies are facing enormous challenges today: Technologies such as 5G, automation, cloud and artificial intelligence are driving digitalization forward. This also increases the demands on bandwidth and network reliability.
The problems of classic network infrastructures:
- Limited bandwidth and lack of scalability
- Shared resources, performance losses at peak times
- Lack of flexibility for new applications such as cloud and AI
- High downtime risks and security concerns
The solution: dark fiber, unused fiber optic cables that companies can rent exclusively and “light up” themselves.
- Full control over your own network
- Scalability as required
- Maximum reliability and performance
- Cost efficiency through long-term use
Dark Fiber provides companies with a future-proof infrastructure that enables maximum performance, security and flexibility and makes them independent of shared networks.
Savecall: People, solutions, reliability
The 5 most important facts about dark fiber
1. It enables seamless data transfer
With more than 18 billion active internet-connected devices and growing, businesses today have access to more data than ever before. Today’s companies rely on the collection and analysis of data to run their businesses optimally and provide the best service to their customers.
Many new and emerging technologies today rely on fast, reliable data transmission to function optimally. For example, autonomous vehicles rely on ultra-low latency connections to make quick decisions and avoid obstacles on the road.
Fortunately, Dark Fiber provides the low-latency backbone that enables seamless data transmission from the edge to the core to the cloud. This allows machines to transmit important information immediately and make quick decisions.
So:
- Low latency for real-time applications
- Ideal for cloud, edge and core connections
- Future-proofing for new technologies
2. Dark fiber offers virtually unlimited scalability
Today’s technology requires a scalable, reliable network foundation. That’s where dark fiber comes in. With dark fiber, you get what you need now and can expand your bandwidth as your business grows.
Once a company has unconnected fiber optic cables, a simple upgrade of the equipment enables an immediate increase in network capacity and speed.
In a nutshell:
- Immediate increase in capacity & speed
- Scalable and reliable basis
- Bandwidth easily expandable
More security and full control
3. Dark glass fiber: reliable, resistant and powerful
Network outages can cost your business money, manpower and resources. That’s why it’s important to use a reliable network to reduce downtime and increase performance.
When using unconnected fiber optic cables, you rent them for exclusive long-term use. This means that your connection and bandwidth are not shared with other users.
Dark fiber also provides the security needed to send confidential data to stakeholders. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and organizations are concerned about the security of their data. Fortunately, Dark Fiber provides the highest level of network security and control by providing the customer with a dedicated point-to-point fiber over a defined physical path.
This means that the owner of the fiber optic network is the only one who knows what is running through his network and what data is being transmitted.
In a nutshell:
- Exclusive, long-term use
- No shared bandwidth, maximum reliability
- Point-to-point connection for maximum security
4. Dark fiber enables better control over your network
Dark Fiber offers the security, scalability and reliability of a private network without the burden of your own network infrastructure.
By renting fiber optic cable, you can manage and operate your network yourself without your provider getting in your way. Once you have installed your equipment, you have complete control over your private, dedicated fiber optic network.
If your bandwidth requirements increase, you can increase capacity by installing a new card in your existing devices.
Combined with our mySavecall.de customer portal, this enables central, simple control.
Means:
- Simple control via mySavecall.de
- Full control over the private network
- Scalable and reliable
- Independent of the provider
5. The difference between metro dark fiber and long haul dark fiber
Metro Dark Fiber:
- More fibers enable larger data volumes
- Fiber optics in dense, highly frequented urban locations
- Connects companies directly to the fiber optic infrastructure (“to the front door”)
- Requires a high number of cables for higher total bandwidth
Long Haul Dark Fiber:
- Limited simultaneous data transmission (>1,000 km)
- Connects important markets over long distances (PoPs)
- Consist mainly of single-mode fibers with smaller glass cores
- Single-mode fibers enable only one type of light transmission
- No distance restrictions, ideal for long distances
Most businesses require a combination of metro dark fiber and long-haul dark fiber. In this way, dark fiber networks can be connected to markets and meet the needs of customers wherever they are located.
How SAVECALL supports your dark fiber rollout
SAVECALL checks, in a vendor-neutral way, whether dark fiber is available and economically viable at your location, or whether an alternative such as a managed point-to-point connection is a better fit. This way, you decide based on your actual requirements rather than vendor promises.
Conclusion: full control pays off
Dark fiber pays off for companies that need a private, dedicated connection with full control over security, capacity and configuration, and that bring the resources to operate and maintain it. With the right combination of metro and long-haul routes, an infrastructure emerges that grows along with the company.
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 solution strategically.
Why
Telecom & IT sourcing. Worldwide. Carrier-independent.
Selection & operation of worldwide connectivity & cloud infrastructure. Without vendor risk & unnecessary costs.
- 80+ carriers worldwide
- One point of contact
- One SLA
- One portal: mySAVECALL
- Min. 20% savings
25+
years of experience
40+
Employees
80+
Partner
1400+ Clients
Sources
- Cisco: Annual Internet Report (forecast of connected devices worldwide)
- TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association): Fiber Optic Standards
- SAVECALL: Dark fiber solutions for companies
Frequently asked questions about dark fiber
Dark fiber refers to unused, unlit fiber optic cables that companies rent exclusively and operate themselves with their own equipment. Unlike shared networks, the company gets full control over the capacity, security and configuration of its network.
Dark fiber provides a very low-latency backbone that transmits data without delay from the edge through the core to the cloud. This is especially important for applications that rely on real-time decisions, such as autonomous systems or time-critical cloud workloads.
Dark fiber offers virtually unlimited scalability, since companies can increase their bandwidth with a simple upgrade to their own equipment, without having to change the underlying fiber. This lets the network grow along with the company’s requirements.
Because the connection is exclusive and not shared with other users, it creates a dedicated point-to-point connection over a defined physical path. Only the operator itself knows what data is running through its own network, which significantly reduces the risk from cyberattacks.
Metro dark fiber connects companies directly to the fiber optic infrastructure within dense, urban locations. Long haul dark fiber, on the other hand, bridges long distances between major markets and points of presence, mainly using single-mode fibers with no distance restrictions. Most companies need a combination of both.
Dark fiber is suitable for companies that need a private, dedicated connection and have the resources to operate and maintain their own equipment. SAVECALL provides vendor-neutral advice on whether dark fiber is the right solution or whether an alternative such as a point-to-point connection is a better fit.
Articles you might also like
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
What drives you forward – & what drives
Book a free expert consultation
ONE Contact. ALL Carriers.
+FAQ
You ask.
