LIT vs Dark Fibre

| Dark Fibre

When it comes to upgrading your company's internet with a high-speed network, there are two primary options: lit fibre vs dark fibre. Both provide lightning-fast speeds, but there are a few factors to consider before selecting the best one for your needs. This article will throw some light (pun intended!) on the fundamental distinctions and benefits of each, allowing you to make an excellent choice.

The main distinction between lit and dark fibre is who does the legwork. Lit fibre is similar to having a team come in and set everything up, ensuring that everything operates smoothly. The provider handles installation, maintenance, and keeps things running smoothly. Dark fibre, on the other hand, is more of a DIY project. You will need to sort out the setup and upkeep yourself.

Looking for a data centre dark fibre connectivity option?

We`ve got you covered!

Month-to-month contract - $250 per month ($1000 setup)

Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane / Perth

Demystifying the Basics

The key distinction between lit fibre and dark fibre is the level of management and maintenance given by the service provider. Lit fibre is a managed service in which the provider installs and maintains the infrastructure to ensure peak performance and reliability. Dark fibre, on the other hand, is an unmanaged service that requires the customer to install and maintain the infrastructure themselves.

Consider this: who performs the work? Lit fibre is like having a full-service mechanic, a plug-and play performance: the provider sets everything up, keeps it operating smoothly, and ensures performance. This is perfect if your IT department is already stretched thin. Plus, lit fibre comes with service level agreements (SLAs) – basically, a guarantee of quality. If anything goes wrong with the network, the provider jumps in and fixes it, saving you the stress of troubleshooting. Dark fibre, on the other hand, is like purchasing a fixer-upper: you'll have to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself. You’ve got ultimate control and customization of your entire security setup that fits your specific needs – you’ll need a strong IT team to manage it all.

Unveiling the Advantages: Lit Fibre

Lit fibre is all about convenience. Consider it like purchasing a pre-assembled computer: everything is set up and ready to use.

Convenience and Simplicity

Service providers handle infrastructure installation and configuration, removing the need for you to hire IT specialists. This is a huge advantage for businesses who lack the internal skills or resources to manage their own network. There's no need to fiddle with the settings or worry about troubleshooting; simply plug it in and watch your internet fly!

Guaranteed Performance and Support

Lit fibre providers offer service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee a certain level of performance and support. With lit fibre, you get a service level agreement (SLA) which basically means the provider promises a certain level of speed and support. If anything goes belly-up with the network, they're on the hook to fix it pronto. Plus, they keep everything humming smoothly to minimise downtime and data loss.

Exploring the Potential: Dark Fibre

Let's go a little deeper into dark fibre. Here's the real kicker: leased dark fibre provides you with a private, high-speed lane on the information highway. It's a dedicated connection that you have complete control over. The best part? You can increase or decrease the bandwidth based on your demands.

Unmatched Bandwidth and Scalability

Dark fibre provides dedicated, high-bandwidth network solutions that may be scaled up and down as required. This makes it an excellent choice for enterprises who need a lot of bandwidth for data-intensive applications or expect quick expansion.

· Data-hungry businesses: If your firm deals with large amounts of data, such as storing enormous video files or executing complicated simulations, dark fibre's massive bandwidth can manage it all. No more data blockages or slowdowns, only uninterrupted information flow.

· Scalability Stars: Do you believe your firm is about to explode in size? Dark fibre allows you to simply increase your bandwidth to match your growth. There's no need to worry about being stuck with a limited plan because dark fibre develops alongside you.

Security and Control

Dark fibre isn't just about speed; it's about taking control of the security of your information. Here's the deal: with dark fibre, you're the boss of your own secure data transmission network. You can customise everything, from firewalls to encryption, to create a digital fortress around your data. This is ideal for businesses that deal with super sensitive information, like financial records or medical data. You can rest easy knowing your data is locked tighter than a drum and won't be going on any unexpected joyrides.

Dark fibre might require a bit more technical know-how and an upfront investment, but it can be a real money saver in the long run. Since there's no ongoing management fees, you can potentially cut back on maintenance and support costs.

While dark fibre may require more technical expertise and upfront investment, it can allows cost-effective network solutions for businesses in the long run. With no ongoing management fees, businesses can save money on maintenance and support costs.

Choosing between lit and dark fibre boils down to your priorities. Need a hassle-free, reliable solution? Lit fibre is your champion. Crave ultimate control and scalability? Dark fibre might be the dark horse you need. Whichever path you choose, this guide has equipped you to make an informed decision and keep your business on the fast track to success.

After learning about lit and dark fibre, you're ready to upgrade your company's network to high-speed connectivity. But don't make this decision alone!

Nexthop provides a full range of illuminated fibre solutions that are designed for seamless integration and reliable performance. Our team of professionals will examine your specific needs and design a customized plan to keep your data flowing smoothly. Say goodbye to IT troubles and welcome to a network that keeps up with your business.

Nexthop can also assist those seeking complete control and scalability in exploring dark fibre options. We'll link you with reputable partners to ensure a smooth setup and continuous support so you can get the most out of your dark fibre investment.

Contact Nexthop immediately to discuss your high-speed networking needs. We'll assist you in selecting the illuminated or dark fibre solution that best fits your business's needs and budget. Let's work together to maximize the possibilities of your company's data flow!

Michael Lim

Co-founder | Managing Director

Michael has accumulated two decades of technology business experience through various roles, including senior positions in IT firms, senior sales roles at Asia Netcom, Pacnet, and Optus, and serving as a senior executive at Nexthop.

Leave a comment

Nexthop products

We provide a simple, specialised product portfolio

Product / Available Speeds 500 Mbps 1 Gbps 2.5 Gbps 10 Gbps 100 Gbps 400 Gbps

Fibre Internet - Multi-Gig Internet

Layer 2 Ethernet

IP Transit

Wavelength

Dark Fibre*

Next XC - DC dark fibre*

* For dark fibre and Next XC the customer supplies the SFP to enable the 10, 100 & 400Gbps

More by category

Contact Us