Dark Fiber Network Market Report 2025

This Dark Fiber Network market report delivers an in-depth analysis of the market’s key characteristics, including size, growth potential, and segmentation. It provides a detailed breakdown of the market across major regions and leading countries, highlighting historical data and future growth projections. The report also examines the competitive landscape, market share insights, emerging trends, and strategic developments shaping the market.

The dark fiber network market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $6.94 billion in 2024 to $7.98 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of internet services, rise in cloud computing, increase in data center construction, growth in demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity, and surge in video streaming and IoT applications.

The dark fiber network market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to widespread rollout of 5G networks, increasing adoption of edge computing, rising demand for low-latency connectivity, growing AI and machine learning applications, and rising pf remote work and digital collaboration tools. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of 5G networks, innovation in high-speed internet connectivity, advancements in IoT connectivity, enhancement in network security, and advancements in low-latency communication infrastructure.

The growing demand for high-bandwidth connections is anticipated to drive the expansion of the dark fiber network market in the future. High-bandwidth connections are communication links capable of transmitting large volumes of data at high speeds, facilitating swift and efficient data transfer. This demand is increasing due to the need for faster data transfer speeds and the rising use of data-intensive applications and services. Dark fiber networks support these high-bandwidth connections by offering dedicated, high-capacity fiber optic infrastructure that can be customized to meet rigorous data transmission needs. For example, a report from the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library in July 2023 indicated that as of January 2023, 72% of UK premises had access to gigabit-capable broadband, up from 64% in January 2022 and significantly higher than the 36% recorded in January 2021. Consequently, the rising demand for high-bandwidth connections is expected to propel the dark fiber network market.

Major players in the dark fiber network market are concentrating on technological advancements, such as digital network solutions, to improve services and speed up the deployment of high-speed, high-capacity networks. Digital network solutions include technologies that enable seamless data transmission, management, and optimization across interconnected devices and networks. For example, in September 2024, SummitIG, a telecommunications company based in the United States, formed a partnership with Neutral Networks, a telecommunications provider from Mexico, to establish a joint venture named SierraIG, which is focused on developing dark fiber infrastructure in Mexico. This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for reliable and scalable network solutions in crucial data center markets such as Querétaro and Monterrey. With a planned investment of $50 million, the venture intends to expand its network by 750 kilometers, concentrating on tailored dark fiber solutions for hyperscalers, cloud service providers, large enterprises, and both national and international carriers.

In March 2023, euNetworks Group Limited, a UK-based telecom company, acquired the 1,660 km dark fiber network in Belgium from The Business Branch for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enhances euNetworks' position as a leading dark fiber provider in Europe. It is expected to increase competition in the market, potentially leading to lower prices and improved service quality for both consumers and businesses. The Business Branch is a Belgium-based utility company specializing in dark fiber network services.

Major companies operating in the dark fiber network market are Verizon Communications Inc., Comcast Corporation, AT&T Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Communications, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Lumen Technologies Inc., Prysmian Group, CenturyLink Inc., CommScope Inc., Crown Castle International Corp., Windstream Holdings Inc., Juniper Networks Inc., Fujikura Ltd., Ciena Corporation, Tata Communications Limited, GTT Communications Inc., Finisar Corporation, Colt Technology Services Group Limited, Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc., Zayo Group Holdings Inc., Lumos Networks Corp., EuNetworks Group Limited, Fiber Light LLC., Eurofiber NV.

North America was the largest region in the dark fiber network market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the dark fiber network market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the dark fiber network market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

A dark fiber network consists of unused optical fiber cables that can be leased or used to build private, high-capacity communication networks. Benefits include high-speed, scalable, and secure data transmission, along with complete control over the network infrastructure and performance.

The primary types of networks in the dark fiber market are long-haul and metro. Long-haul dark fiber networks are designed for transmitting data over long distances, such as between cities, regions, or countries. Fiber types include single-mode and multi-mode, with materials ranging from plastic to glass. End-users of dark fiber networks include sectors such as banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), telecom, oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare, and others.

The dark fiber network market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides dark fiber network market statistics, including dark fiber network industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a dark fiber network market share, detailed dark fiber network market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the dark fiber network industry. This dark fiber network market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The dark fiber network market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as leasing of dark fiber, network scalability, and high-bandwidth solutions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The dark fiber network market also includes sales of optical amplifiers, active dark fiber, dark fiber bundles, and fiber splicing kits. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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