Dark Fiber Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Type (Single-Mode Fiber, Multimode Fiber), By Network Type (Metro, Long-haul), By Material (Glass, Plastic), By End-User (BFSI, IT, Military and Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The dark fiber market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.68%, reaching a market size of US$12.039 billion in 2029 from US$6.626 billion in 2024.

With the increasing internet service penetration, adoption of optical technology devices, growing bandwidth requirement for mobile devices, and cable operators' need to convert to high-definition (HD) video quality, the market is expected to see a rise in product demand and consumption. In addition to producing large amounts of data, intelligent machine networking is being explored by digital transformation in key end-use industries like healthcare, telecom, the military, oil and gas, aerospace, and railways. Throughout the forecast period, this is expected to support market revenue growth. As the years progressed, the application of online services has seen a proportional escalation in the need for internet bandwidth.

However, the demand is even more enhanced by technological innovations and the growing need for heavy data use in manufacturing and distribution activities. It is also worth noting that dark fiber is also easily expandable, making it possible for firms to establish their private networks without the costly building of fiber optics. The expanding dark fiber market is attributed to various factors, all grounded on new emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and super ultra-high-definition video.

What are the dark fiber market drivers?

• Increased internet penetration is anticipated to boost market growth

The revenue growth of the global market has been positively influenced by the rising social consciousness towards the installation and utilization of fifth-generation (5G) networks, increasing internet bandwidth consumption, and the fast-paced industrial development of telecommunications providers. In developed countries, dark fiber is kept for future expansion and has lesser latency in networks, which allows increased security and reliability.

However, it is also becoming more widely used due to the increasing number of cloud apps, gaming, audio-video, and video-on-demand services. It is usually configured in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint arrangements. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is also one of the features that help in the progress and enhancement of dark fiber.

• High need for long-haul dark fiber

The demand for long-haul dark fiber is high due to its high data capacity, safety, and resilience. It is extensively used in several industries, such as internet service providers (ISPs), the telecommunications industry, the military and aerospace sector, and internet-based services. The penetration of long-haul dark fiber into various segments is increasing due to economic factors, the ability to easily connect large geographical regions with little dependence on extra hardware provisions, and lower average repeater inclusion levels to maintain data strength. In addition, strong competitive dynamics, the creation of smart cities, and consistently rising investments are anticipated to fuel the segment's revenue growth.

• Increasing integration of optical fiber will propel market expansion

Businesses that are expanding quickly need more bandwidth and high-speed internet connections. Customers and companies are switching from conventional copper or standard internet cables to optical fiber ones. Larger companies in the sector are improving their business communications by combining installed Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony with optical fiber devices and components.

Additionally, faster internet speeds and an enhanced working environment are produced when businesses integrate dark fiber networks with internet services. Optic fiber internet cables are more resilient to severe weather than regular copper internet cables. Dark optical fibers also prevent unplanned internet outages, which could otherwise cost customers money and time.

Major challenges hindering the dark fiber market:

• High cost and lack of monitoring are anticipated to impede market growth

Considerable obstacles stand in the way of small businesses and startups implementing dark fiber for scalability and reduced latency applications. These factors include the expensive nature of manpower and cables, the excessive risk of selecting the volume and type of fiber, and the poor workmanship involved in the installation process. There could be numerous loose ends in a dark fiber installation project, such as issues with documentation or the requirement to keep additional fibers.

Additionally, the market's potential revenue growth during the forecast period may be constrained by a lack of skilled professionals for the design of active network elements, the necessity for frequent advancements and upgrades, and consumer ignorance in some developing nations. Moreover, the challenge is inefficiently incorporating a fiber segment into the main platform, which is anticipated to manage large amounts of confidential data. Supervising computer scientists faces difficulties because of this process's intricate technical and operational details. An integration-friendly platform could be used to avoid such issues.

Geographical outlook of the dark fiber market

• Asia Pacific is witnessing exponential growth during the forecast period

Throughout the forecast period, the dark fiber market in the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow rapidly. Important nations have significant dark fiber network capacity. The factors increasing the demand for dark fiber in the Asia Pacific include the need for faster internet, changing lifestyles, and rising income levels. Large regional data center expansion is directed towards advanced technologies such as Big Data, IoT, and AI. Companies like Alibaba, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and even Baidu have developed and are still developing regional data centers. Currently, the market in the Asia Pacific region is predominantly driven by the rapid adoption of mobile services and high-speed broadband by consumers in China and India.

Key launches in the dark fiber market

• In November 2023, the major technology company, Lumen Technologies, entered a contract worth approximately US$110 million with the United States Defense Information System Agency (DISA). The contract included operating and maintaining DISA’s fiber backbone, comprising dark fiber, collocation centers, different end-to-end network infrastructures, new fiber constructions, and system upgrades.
• In October 2023, gasLINE and Fluxys Belgium signed an agreement for the construction of infrastructure in Western Europe targeting the expansion of the fiber optic network. In addition to Germany and Belgium, the company plans to cover the rest of the countries in a strong dark fiber network.

Dark Fiber Market Scope:

Report Metric	Details
Dark Fiber Market Size in 2024	US$6.626 billion
Dark Fiber Market Size in 2029	US$12.039 billion
Growth Rate	CAGR of 12.68%
Study Period	2019 to 2029
Historical Data	2019 to 2022
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2024 – 2029
Forecast Unit (Value)	USD Billion
Segmentation	Type Network Type Material End-User Geography
Geographical Segmentation	North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific
List of Major Companies in Dark Fiber Market	AT&T Verizon EXA Infrastructure Telstra Infra Co. Sterlite Power
Customization Scope	Free report customization with purchase

The Dark fiber market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Type
  • Single-Mode Fiber
  • Multimode Fiber
• By Network Type
  • Metro
  • Long-haul
• By Material
  • Glass
  • Plastic   
• By End-User
  • BFSI
  • IT
  • Military and Aerospace
  • Oil and Gas
  • Healthcare
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key Benefits to the Stakeholder

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Processes

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. CXO Perspective

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.5. Analyst View

5. DARK FIBER MARKET BY TYPE

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Single-Mode Fiber

5.3. Multimode Fiber

6. DARK FIBER MARKET BY NETWORK TYPE

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Metro

6.3. Long-haul 

7. DARK FIBER MARKET BY MATERIAL

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Glass

7.3. Plastic 

8. DARK FIBER MARKET BY END-USER 

8.1. Introduction

8.2. BFSI

8.3. IT 

8.4. Military and Aerospace

8.5. Oil and Gas

8.6. Healthcare

8.7. Others

9. DARK FIBER MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

9.1. Introduction

9.2. North America

9.2.1. By Type

9.2.2. By Network Type

9.2.3. By Material

9.2.4. By End-User 

9.2.5. By Country

9.2.5.1. United States

9.2.5.2. Canada

9.2.5.3. Mexico

9.3. South America

9.3.1. By Type

9.3.2. By Network Type

9.3.3. By Material

9.3.4. By End-User 

9.3.5. By Country

9.3.5.1. Brazil

9.3.5.2. Argentina

9.3.5.3. Others

9.4. Europe

9.4.1. By Type

9.4.2. By Network Type

9.4.3. By Material

9.4.4. By End-User 

9.4.5. By Country

9.4.5.1. United Kingdom

9.4.5.2. Germany

9.4.5.3. France

9.4.5.4. Italy

9.4.5.5. Others

9.5. Middle East and Africa

9.5.1. By Type

9.5.2. By Network Type

9.5.3. By Material

9.5.4. By End-User 

9.5.5. By Country

9.5.5.1. Saudi Arabia

9.5.5.2. Israel

9.5.5.3. Others

9.6. Asia Pacific

9.6.1. By Type

9.6.2. By Network Type

9.6.3. By Material

9.6.4. By End-User 

9.6.5. By Country

9.6.5.1. Japan

9.6.5.2. China

9.6.5.3. India

9.6.5.4. South Korea

9.6.5.5. Indonesia

9.6.5.6. Thailand

9.6.5.7. Others

10. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

10.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

10.2. Market Share Analysis

10.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

10.4. Competitive Dashboard

11. COMPANY PROFILES

11.1. CenturyLink, Inc. 

11.2. Zayo Group, LLC.

11.3. Colt Technology Services Group Limited

11.4. Windstream Intellectual Property Services, LLC.

11.5. AT&T

11.6. Verizon

11.7. EXA Infrastructure

11.8. Telstra Infra Co.

11.9. Consolidated Communications

11.10. Sterlite Power

CenturyLink, Inc. 

Zayo Group, LLC.

Colt Technology Services Group Limited

Windstream Intellectual Property Services, LLC.

AT&T

Verizon

EXA Infrastructure

Telstra Infra Co.

Consolidated Communications

Sterlite Power