Dark Fiber Versus Lit Fiber

The city of San Francisco should be lauded for showing how a major metropolitan area can implement two models of a ubiquitous, open, fiberto-the premises network. The dark fiber model has limitations but is far preferable to today’s model. The lit fiber model eliminates a barrier to entry and opens the broadband network to a wide array of new services. Yes, there are challenges, but the outcome for the community would be epic. 

[Greg Whelan is a principal of Greywale Advisors, broadband consultants specializing in broadband networks and neutral communications infrastructure]