As the federal government prioritizes enhancing efficiency, agencies are seeking innovative ways to help drive internal improvements. For the Department of War, this means embracing modern solutions that leverage existing lit and dark fiber solutions. In Part 1 of this series, we explore how dark fiber for the Department presents an opportunity for a scalable and secure solution, reducing redundancy and improving operational efficiency.
How Do Dark Fiber and Lit Fiber Differ?
Dark fiber differs from lit fiber in its usage; lit fiber actively transmits data, while dark fiber remains dormant until activated. Scott Andersen, distinguished solutions architect at Verizon explained, “Dark fiber is simply fiber that has not been lit yet but is laid in the ground. It gives the government the ability to move massive amounts of data without putting it on their main network.”
Dark fiber offers a unique opportunity for the Department. Instead of waiting for new infrastructure, the Department can activate specific fiber strands as needed. Although the initial cost of dark fiber may be higher than traditional options, its long-term benefits, such as on-demand scalability, make it a powerful tool for modernizing military networks.
The Strategic Advantages of Dark Fiber for the Pentagon
Dark fiber presents several strategic benefits for the Department, particularly in security, flexibility, control, and a secure private network (private IP, private wireless). Andersen described how much like managing a stock portfolio, dark fiber empowers the Department to build a connectivity portfolio that allows for the precise allocation of network resources based on mission needs. Similar to investors shifting assets to balance risk and reward, the Department can optimize network capacity, moving assets as necessary while maintaining continuous, secure connectivity.
One of its primary advantages is the ability to establish dedicated, private networks independent of public infrastructure. In November 2024, the Department released their private 5G deployment strategy, stating, “private networks may augment or supplement commercial services because they are tailored to each installation’s mission needs, security, and military-unique capabilities.” Since dark fiber remains unused until activated, it is isolated from external traffic, reducing exposure to cyber threats and improving overall security. This makes it an ideal solution for transmitting sensitive military communications and classified intelligence.
“With dark fiber, the Department isn’t dependent on existing commercial networks,” explained Jamie Starr, Director of Defense/National Security Sales at Verizon. “It can light the fiber when and where it’s needed, providing a level of control and security that traditional networks just can’t match.”
Dark fiber also enhances flexibility, allowing the Department to scale network infrastructure as operational needs evolve. As military operations become more data-driven, the demand for faster, high-capacity networks grows. Dark fiber enables rapid scalability without costly infrastructure overhauls, ensuring sufficient bandwidth for intelligence-sharing, battlefield communications, and real-time decision-making.
Owning and controlling dark fiber increases network reliability and resilience. Like leased or shared networks, dark fiber allows for direct infrastructure management, minimizing downtime and improving performance. The dark fiber assets can be turned on and off in times of bandwidth need. In conjunction with the organization’s connectivity fabric Dark Fiber enables network diversity, with multiple geographically separated routes for redundancy. Andersen highlighted how “having control over your own fiber means having control over your own security, reliability, and speed. That’s a game-changer for mission-critical operations.”
By leveraging dark fiber, the Department gains a network that is not only secure and adaptable but also built for long-term success. It provides a strong foundation for modernization efforts while allowing for future expansion without the limitations of traditional network solutions.
Dark Fiber’s Role in AI and Military Innovation
As the Department expands its use of artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations, the need for high-speed, secure, and scalable network infrastructure is critical. AI-enabled defense strategies rely on processing vast amounts of data across locations, from command centers to unmanned systems and battlefield sensors. “Verizon Fabric and Dark fiber supports the military’s move towards AI. It allows them to surface all their data sources securely and make that data readily available across their entire estate,” Andersen noted.
AI adoption in defense is augmented by distributed computing power and low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. As part of the overall communication fabric in the organization, dark fiber enables real-time communication between AI-driven systems, providing potential optimization for applications such as threat detection, autonomous defense, and predictive logistics. More importantly, it provides flexibility to modify and expand network capacity as operational demands grow. If a command center anticipates relocating in six months, for example, the Department can proactively extend dark fiber to the new location in phases, ensuring a seamless transition and continued high-performance connectivity.
Operational efficiency is another key factor. AI effectiveness depends on rapid data access and analysis. Dark fiber enables continuous, high-speed data availability, reducing delays in intelligence gathering and decision-making. “It’s about speed to provision,” said Starr. “You own it, you control it. There’s no need to submit individual circuit orders or wait for approvals. It gives you fast, direct access to your data.” From autonomous vehicles to cybersecurity monitoring and battlefield coordination, dark fiber can help AI systems operate at peak performance, enhancing situational awareness and response times.
“If AI is the brain of modern defense, dark fiber is the nervous system,” Andersen added. “It ensures that information gets where it needs to go instantly, supporting faster, smarter decision-making.”
Looking ahead, dark fiber provides a scalable foundation for future military AI innovation. As AI advances, the Department will need greater network capacity for increasingly complex operations. Investing in dark fiber now helps to ensure the ability to process vast intelligence data and execute real-time operations with speed and precision in the future.
What’s Next? Exploring Dark Fiber’s Key Use Cases
By integrating dark fiber into its AI and modernization strategies, the Department can unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence, enhancing mission effectiveness and maintaining a strategic edge in an increasingly data-driven battlefield. Along with enabling AI-driven operations, dark fiber has the ability to enhance security and help future-proof military networks efficiently and cost-effectively.
In our second article, we’ll take [1] a closer look at five specific use cases the Department can harness dark fiber to improve operations, from battlefield communications to cybersecurity. Stay tuned for a deeper dive into how this technology is shaping the future of defense.
This article was originally published on Government Technology Insider on April 21, 2025.