Dark Fiber Network Market Growth & Trends:
The global dark fiber network market size is expected to reach USD 13.45 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 14.3% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Dark fiber has emerged as a sustainable solution for various organizations that are focusing on enhanced communication and network management. Continuously increasing penetration of internet services over the period has paved the way for the high demand for internet bandwidth. This demand is expected to remain rampant over the forecast period. This is the most significant factor responsible for market growth across the globe. The market is strongly supported by companies with a high reliance on internet connectivity. These networks are highly beneficial for organizations with a high volume of data flow in their operation. These benefits include reduced network latency, scalability, reliability, and enhanced security.
In fiber-optic communications, fiber optic cables that are not yet put in service by a provider or carrier, are termed dark fiber or unlit fiber. Network communications and telecom usually use the network, and currently, there are lots of dark fiber cables across the globe. In regular fiber networks, information is sent through the cables in light pulses. Whereas dark fiber networks are known to be 'dark' as no light or data is transmitted from them.
Dark fiber networks can be installed and set up using point-to-multipoint or point-to-point configurations. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is an essential factor for the improvement and development of dark fiber networks. DWDM occurs when many data signals are transmitted using the same optical fiber at the same time. Although these signals are transmitted around the same time, they are transmitted at separate and unique wavelengths to keep these data signals separate. The significant benefits of DWDM include an increase in bandwidth of the optical fiber, high-quality internet performance, lightning-fast internet, and a secure and powerful network.
Dark fiber networks are not just used for business purposes but can be installed beneath land and oceans. Some of the interesting use cases of dark fiber include earthquake research and monitoring permafrost. Amongst many advantages, some of the disadvantages of the dark fiber network include high initial cost and loss of time in setting up your infrastructure, and high repairing and maintenance costs. Similarly, large dark fiber networks are currently available in metropolitan cities only and are yet to become available in small cities and towns.
Dark Fiber Network Market Report Highlights:
- The multi-mode segment dominated the dark fiber network industry in 2024 and accounted for 63.2% share of the global revenue. It is also expected to continue leading the market over the forecast period.
- The glass segment led the market in 2024. Its leadership can be attributed to its superior optical properties, durability, and widespread adoption across various industries.
- The long-haul segment is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast. The segment continues to gather pace due to its capacity to connect over large distances at low signal intensity.
- In terms of revenue, the telecom segment dominated the dark fiber network market in 2024 and is anticipated to retain its dominance in terms of market size by 2030.
- Asia Pacific dark fiber network market dominated with a share of 28.8% in 2024. Asia Pacific is spearheading revenue growth owing to technological advancements and large-scale adoption of the technology in the IT telecommunication and administrative sector.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
- 1.1. Market Segmentation and Scope
- 1.2. Research Methodology
- 1.2.1. Information Procurement
- 1.3. Information or Data Analysis
- 1.4. Methodology
- 1.5. Research Scope and Assumptions
- 1.6. Market Formulation & Validation
- 1.7. List of Data Sources
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Market Outlook
- 2.2. Segment Outlook
- 2.3. Competitive Insights
Chapter 3. Dark Fiber Network Market Variables, Trends, & Scope
- 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
- 3.2. Market Dynamics
- 3.2.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.2.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.2.3. Industry Challenge
- 3.3. Dark Fiber Network Market Analysis Tools
- 3.3.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's
- 3.3.1.1. Bargaining power of the suppliers
- 3.3.1.2. Bargaining power of the buyers
- 3.3.1.3. Threats of substitution
- 3.3.1.4. Threats from new entrants
- 3.3.1.5. Competitive rivalry
- 3.3.2. PESTEL Analysis
- 3.3.2.1. Political landscape
- 3.3.2.2. Economic and social landscape
- 3.3.2.3. Technological landscape
- 3.4. Pain Point Analysis
Chapter 4. Dark Fiber Network Market Pricing Analysis
- 4.1. Dark Fiber Lease Price Analysis
- 4.1.1. U.S.
- 4.1.2. Brazil
- 4.1.3. Australia
- 4.1.4. Spain
- 4.1.5. Germany
- 4.2. Assumption and Derivation of Pricing Range Estimations
Chapter 5. Dark Fiber Network Market: Fiber Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 5.1. Segment Dashboard
- 5.2. Dark Fiber Network Market: Fiber Type Movement Analysis, USD Million, 2024 & 2030
- 5.3. Single Mode
- 5.3.1. Single Mode Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.4. Multi-mode
- 5.4.1. Multi-mode Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.4.2. Step-index Multimode Fiber
- 5.4.2.1. Dark fiber network by step-index multimode fiber, 2017 - 2030
- 5.4.3. Graded-index Multimode Fiber
- 5.4.3.1. Dark fiber network by graded-index multimode fiber, 2017 - 2030
Chapter 6. Dark Fiber Network Market: Network Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 6.1. Segment Dashboard
- 6.2. Dark Fiber Network Market: Network Type Movement Analysis, USD Million, 2024 & 2030
- 6.3. Metro
- 6.3.1. Metro Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 6.4. Long-haul
- 6.4.1. Long-haul Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 7. Dark Fiber Network Market: Material Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 7.1. Segment Dashboard
- 7.2. Dark Fiber Network Market: Material Movement Analysis, USD Million, 2024 & 2030
- 7.3. Glass
- 7.3.1. Glass Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4. Plastic
- 7.4.1. Plastic Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 8. Dark Fiber Network Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 8.1. Segment Dashboard
- 8.2. Dark Fiber Network Market: Application Movement Analysis, USD Million, 2024 & 2030
- 8.3. Telecom
- 8.3.1. Telecom Market Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.4. Oil & Gas
- 8.4.1. Oil & Gas Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.5. Military & Aerospace
- 8.5.1. Military & Aerospace Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.6. BFSI
- 8.6.1. BFSI Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.7. Medical
- 8.7.1. Medical Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.8. Railway
- 8.8.1. Railway Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 8.9. Others
- 8.9.1. Others Revenue Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 9. Dark Fiber Network Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 9.1. Dark Fiber Network Market Share, By Region, 2024 & 2030, USD Million
- 9.2. North America
- 9.2.1. North America Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.2.2. U.S.
- 9.2.2.1. U.S. Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.2.3. Canada
- 9.2.3.1. Canada Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.2.4. Mexico
- 9.2.4.1. Mexico Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.3. Europe
- 9.3.1. Europe Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.3.2. UK
- 9.3.2.1. UK Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.3.3. Germany
- 9.3.3.1. Germany Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD MILLION)
- 9.3.4. France
- 9.3.4.1. France Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4. Asia Pacific
- 9.4.1. Asia Pacific Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4.2. China
- 9.4.2.1. China Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4.3. Japan
- 9.4.3.1. Japan Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4.4. India
- 9.4.4.1. India Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4.5. South Korea
- 9.4.5.1. South Korea Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.4.6. Australia
- 9.4.6.1. Australia Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.5. Latin America
- 9.5.1. Latin America Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.5.2. Brazil
- 9.5.2.1. Brazil Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.6. Middle East and Africa
- 9.6.1. Middle East and Africa Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.6.2. UAE
- 9.6.2.1. UAE Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.6.3. KSA
- 9.6.3.1. KSA Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 9.6.4. South Africa
- 9.6.4.1. South Africa Dark Fiber Network Market Estimates and Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 10. Competitive Landscape
- 10.1. Company Categorization
- 10.2. Company Market Positioning
- 10.3. Company Heat Map Analysis
- 10.4. Company Profiles/Listing
- 10.4.1. AT&T Intellectual
- 10.4.1.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.1.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.1.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.1.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.2. Colt Technology Services Group Limited
- 10.4.2.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.2.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.2.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.2.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.3. Comcast Corporation
- 10.4.3.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.3.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.3.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.3.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.4. Consolidated Communications
- 10.4.4.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.4.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.4.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.4.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.5. GTT Communications, Inc.
- 10.4.5.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.5.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.5.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.5.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.6. Lumen Technologies, Inc.
- 10.4.6.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.6.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.6.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.6.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.7. Verizon Communications, Inc.
- 10.4.7.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.7.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.7.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.7.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.8. Windstream Intellectual Property Services, LLC
- 10.4.8.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.8.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.8.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.8.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.9. Zayo Group, LLC
- 10.4.9.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.9.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.9.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.9.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 10.4.10. Microscan
- 10.4.10.1. Participant's Overview
- 10.4.10.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.10.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.10.4. Strategic Initiatives