Dark fiber refers to unused optical fiber cables that have been installed but are not currently transmitting data. These unlit fibers offer a high-capacity, secure solution for organizations seeking to build private networks or expand bandwidth on-demand without relying on shared public infrastructure.

Dark fiber is commonly used in applications such as:

• Building dedicated high-speed data networks.
• Enabling secure, private communication channels.
• Supporting future-proof scalability for growing bandwidth needs.

Testing dark fiber requires precise tools to validate link integrity, detect faults, and ensure optimal network performance. Proper testing is critical to identify weak points, verify key performance indicators (KPIs), and guarantee that fiber links meet the high standards necessary for reliable communication.

Optimize your dark fiber testing with industry-leading OTDR solutions

Advanced optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) simplify the process of dark fiber testing by providing accurate insights into fiber health, fault locations, and overall network quality. With features such as real-time monitoring, intuitive analysis tools, and automated reporting, these solutions help technicians of all experience levels deploy, troubleshoot, and maintain dark fiber networks with efficiency and confidence.

Explore EXFO’s portfolio of EXFO’s industry-acclaimed OTDRs (and mini-OTDRs such as the AXS-130) that provide highly accurate measurements to easily characterize and validate fiber links, whether live or dark.

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