Lit Fiber vs. Dark Fiber
If you’ve done your research on fiber networks, you’ve probably heard that some networks use “lit fiber” and some use “dark fiber.” But what do those terms mean exactly? If you’ve thought this don’t worry- we’re here to explain! Before we get into the specifics of lit fiber and dark fiber let’s talk about the basics of how fiber networks work.
How Fiber-Optics Work
To put it simply fiber-optic networks work by using light pulses to transmit information from one location to the next. This is done using super-thin strands of glass that make up the fiber optic cable and function as the “light pipe” that transmits your data as pulses of light between the two ends of the fiber. This allows data to move so much faster than traditional copper internet connections and is currently the fastest communication method on the planet.
Okay so now that we’ve covered the basics of how fiber-optic networks work. Let’s talk about how different fiber networks operate! Are all fiber networks built the same? We don’t think so! As we mentioned earlier some networks are built using dark fiber, and some are built with lit fiber. Let’s get into what that means and what the difference is between the two network types.
Lit Fiber Networks
In a lit fiber network, the entire fiber-optic infrastructure is currently in use, AKA, “lit.” At UTOPIA Fiber, we operate a lit fiber network, which essentially means that the entirety of our network is active and currently being used to transmit data. Using a lit fiber model enables us to provide services such as cloud applications and high-capacity bandwidth infrastructure with the speed they need to function. A lit network also means the customer does not have to worry about the network infrastructure. UTOPIA Fiber takes care of the installation and maintenance of the fiber network.
Dark Fiber Networks
Some fiber providers operate on a dark fiber model. This means that at least some of their fiber infrastructure is not currently in use. Unlike lit networks, dark fiber networks don’t have any light pulses actively passing through them and are dormant. Often, dark fiber is used in urban areas and can be leased from an ISP to be managed privately. To the customer, that means that they or the service provider would be responsible for lighting the whole fiber path. This can become very expensive depending on the distance involved.
Benefits Of A Lit Network
At UTOPIA Fiber, we firmly believe that a true open-access network is a lit carrier-class active Ethernet network and that’s exactly what we choose to do! Our fiber cables stretch from the Utah/Idaho border all the way to Las Vegas and by keeping our network “lit,” we’re able to get our customers connected quickly. This makes it so our customers can enjoy the benefits of sending and receiving data on our reliable fiber-optic network as soon as possible.
Being a lit network doesn’t just benefit our residential customers, it also helps us connect our business customers! Our Lit fiber network provides our business customers with a fully managed service and no responsibility to maintain or operate the complicated equipment required to manage a fiber network. This helps save time and money for businesses connected on our network.
So whether you’re streaming from home or powering a business, UTOPIA Fiber’s lit network provides a seamless experience designed to meet today’s data demands and will keep you connected well into the future. Still have questions about our network? Click the blue chat icon in the bottom right corner to chat with us directly. But if you’re ready to see if you can connect to our network today check out our Sign Up page here.