Light Source Communications (LSC) is expanding its dark fiber network in the metropolitan area of Tulsa, Oklahoma, featuring a significant hyperscaler as the anchor tenant.
With these two new rings, LSC will add 80 miles of new fiber to its existing 50-mile network in the Tulsa area. This emerging fiber network market boasts multiple data centers amid a growing connectivity ecosystem.
LSC has begun engineering for the project, which is set to be completed by the end of 2025. The entire route will be underground, ensuring reliability and network security through a high fiber count and conduit system. As a carrier-neutral, customer-agnostic provider, LSC seeks to leverage this route to offer enhanced connectivity solutions for Artificial Intelligence services and beyond throughout Tulsa.
LSC’s fiber expansion will fulfill new demands for next-gen infrastructure: an increase in connectivity requirements due to a growing reliance on digital services, cloud computing and data-intensive applications. Also, Tulsa’s business-friendly policies and economic growth have resulted in a diverse portfolio of enterprises fueling demand for digital infrastructure. Several key industry segments, including manufacturing, energy, aerospace and defense, logistics transportation, and finance, have well-established hubs in the city.
Location is another critical factor. Tulsa’s central U.S. location makes it a strategic hub for data transmission, and its proximity to major interstates and railroads helps facilitate connectivity in the region.
The Tulsa project follows LSC’s announcement in March that it has commenced work on a new dark fiber route in the Phoenix, Arizona, metro area. The route has since expanded in the valley to 300+ miles and seven rings. Home to over 70 planned and existing data centers, the route serves as a critical link for the Phoenix area, encompassing nine cities, several data centers, Arizona State University at Tempe, and the University of Arizona. This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
For related articles, visit the Business Topic Center.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.