Looking for the best Dark Fiber providers in Durham? Here's your ultimate guide to making an informed choice.
What is Dark Fiber?
Dark Fiber, also known as "unlit fiber" or "black fiber," refers to unused fiber optic cables that were installed by telecommunications companies in the 1980s and 1990s. These cables were laid in excess to save future costs associated with labor, equipment, and operations. Now, these unused cables are leased and sold as core network services.
Dark Fiber providers are also location-based because they depend on the availability of a specific network infrastructure in a given area. The feasibility of offering dark fiber services hinges on the proximity to existing splice points and the presence of unused fiber cables. This makes the availability of dark fiber services higher near major cities and along the fiber lines connecting these cities.
Overview of Providers in Durham Offering Dark Fiber
There are many Dark Fiber providers to choose from in Durham, with an estimated 22 available based on Lightyear’s network intelligence—the industry’s most comprehensive dataset.
Actual provider availability also depends on fiber infrastructure near a specific address—so while many exist citywide, not all are quote-ready for every location. Comparing options can quickly become overwhelming.
To help simplify your research, we've compiled a definitive list of providers offering Dark Fiber in Durham, which you can explore below.
You can also schedule a demo with the Lightyear team for expert support navigating telecom procurement. Provider availability differs significantly by location, and Lightyear’s network intelligence helps businesses identify the right-fit options based on real infrastructure data.
Local Telcos in Durham with Dark Fiber
Local telcos are companies that offer wireline telephone services throughout the Durham region and possess extensive fiber infrastructure, making them ideal providers for Dark Fiber. These companies can offer service across larger areas, while regular providers may only have coverage in specific regions of the city.
The local telco(s) in Durham that offer Dark Fiber include:
- AT&T: A major telecommunications company offering wireless plans, internet services (fiber), accessories, prepaid plans, and bundles. AT&T serves both personal and business customers.
- Consolidated Communications: Provides high-speed internet, fiber internet, VoIP and traditional phone services, and streaming TV for residential customers. Also offers data networking, voice, data center, managed IT, and cloud services for businesses.
- Frontier Communications: Offers various fiber internet plans, phone services, and TV and streaming services. Frontier serves residential, small business, enterprise, and wholesale markets.
Local Cable Companies in Durham with Dark Fiber
Local cable companies originally built cable television infrastructure throughout Durham, which they now use to deliver ISP and business connectivity services. While their residential services typically rely on coaxial cables, their enterprise offerings—like Dark Fiber—are usually delivered over fiber infrastructure.
Availability depends on the cable provider's network footprint, with some services like DIA offering broader coverage than others. Often, a city’s local cable companies, like their local telcos, will be able to provide Dark Fiber connectivity throughout the city.
The cable company(ies) in Durham that offer Dark Fiber include:
- Comcast: A leading telecommunications company offering a range of services including internet, cable TV, and phone services. Comcast provides high-speed internet and various bundling options for residential and business customers.
- Spectrum: Spectrum offers high-speed internet, mobile, cable TV, and home phone services. They provide various internet plans, including options for low-income households, and promote bundling services for additional savings.
Other Network Providers with Dark Fiber in Durham
Finally, a network provider is a company that delivers Dark Fiber by leveraging a mix of technologies to offer flexible, business-focused solutions. Unlike local telcos and cable companies with citywide infrastructure, these providers may only cover specific areas depending on network availability.
There are many network providers in Durham that offer Dark Fiber to choose from. Here's a quick look at all of them based on our network intelligence:
- BrightSpeed: BrightSpeed offers high-speed internet and communication services tailored for both residential and business customers.
- Crown Castle: Crown Castle provides infrastructure solutions, including fiber networks and small cell solutions, to enhance connectivity.
- ERC Broadband: ERC Broadband delivers reliable broadband services and data center solutions to businesses and communities.
- FirstLight: FirstLight offers fiber-optic data, internet, data center, and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers.
- Fusion Connect: Fusion Connect provides cloud communications, secure networking, and managed services for businesses.
- Google Fiber: Google Fiber delivers high-speed internet and TV services with a focus on providing fast and reliable connectivity.
- MBC: MBC offers a range of internet and communication services, focusing on high-speed connectivity solutions.
- Optimum: Optimum provides internet, TV, and phone services with various plans to meet the needs of residential and business customers.
- Segra: Segra offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity, cloud, and managed services to businesses and carriers.
- Starvision: Starvision specializes in satellite and fiber-optic communication services for diverse customer needs.
- T-Mobile: T-Mobile provides wireless voice, messaging, and data services, along with innovative connectivity solutions.
- Uniti Fiber: Uniti Fiber delivers custom communication infrastructure solutions, including dark fiber and small cell networks.
- Verizon: Verizon offers a wide range of business solutions, including high-speed internet, voice, and managed network services.
- Windstream: Windstream provides advanced network communications and technology solutions for businesses and residential customers.
- Zayo: Zayo offers bandwidth infrastructure solutions, including fiber and data center services, to businesses and carriers.
- ZB8 Infra: ZB8 Infra specializes in providing robust infrastructure solutions to enhance connectivity and network performance.
Overall Connectivity Score in Durham: Medium
The "Medium" connectivity score in Durham reflects a balanced landscape of provider availability, fiber infrastructure, and competition. For businesses seeking Dark Fiber, this means a moderate range of choices and competitive pricing. However, the right provider still hinges on location-specific availability and business needs, making tools like Lightyear essential for streamlining the selection process.
Use Lightyear to Find the Perfect Provider
Interested in accessing the full list of providers at the best prices? Lightyear simplifies the process of finding the best Dark Fiber providers in Durham by leveraging real infrastructure data. Our platform offers expert support, detailed comparisons, and tailored recommendations to ensure you get the most suitable options for your business needs.
