By: Andy Munn, BIG Fiber Chief Network Officer
Long before artificial intelligence (AI) became the driving force behind new data center demand, BIG Fiber was engineering networks for high-density compute and ultra-low latency applications. Since our inception in June 2019, we have built and continue to build new, 100% buried dark fiber infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Atlanta and the Hillsboro area of Greater Portland, Oregon. Our business model focuses entirely on purpose-built infrastructure to meet the demands required for AI workloads, cloud interconnectivity, and mission-critical enterprise operations in the markets we serve.
Traditionally, internet networks have relied fully on fiber lines that have been assembled over decades, expanded through acquisitions or maintained by dispersed teams far removed from the communities they serve. BIG Fiber has always been laser-focused on building, owning and operating metro dark fiber networks, which allows us to have full control over the quality of the network. The hallmarks to our success are our homogenous fiber, our local construction and management teams and the physical security of our assets. Let’s break down each of these attributes and explore how this purpose-built infrastructure is built for the data center needs of today and tomorrow.
Engineering for Integrity: Limited Splice Points
We don’t believe in the Frankenstein network approach of merging existing networks. While legacy providers often rely on a patchwork of old and new glass, we utilize homogenous fiber across our entire footprint. By significantly limiting the number of splice points across our routes, we minimize signal attenuation (dB loss) and remove potential points of physical failure.
This high-density backbone is encased in a multi-duct package designed specifically for long-term growth. While other providers may fill their limited conduit quickly, our infrastructure allows you to scale your strand count and capacity seamlessly as your data needs evolve, without the need for new, disruptive construction. By using consistent, high-spec fiber throughout the route, we significantly reduce signal loss and attenuation at every splice point. Our networks maintain a minimum 1728 fiber count in all core routes utilizing all single-mode ITU G.657.A1 & G.652.D glass.
What exactly does this mean?
For data center operators, this means predictable performance, lower latency and a network that is far easier to scale as your demands grow.
Local Construction and Management Teams
Our teams don’t just work in these markets; they live there. By deploying local construction and management teams, we bring deep regional knowledge to every project, which allows us to better navigate complex local permitting challenges and understand specific geographical quirks. Our local focus allows us to be agile and responsive, moving at a speed that larger companies simply can’t match.
This local agility is backed by our advanced subcontractor management model, which transforms the typical complexity of a build into absolute clarity. By maintaining direct oversight and leveraging proven local partnerships, we ensure every project runs with precision and accountability. This model significantly reduces construction lead times, providing you with faster network uptime and a single, reliable point of contact from start to finish.
By utilizing pre-positioned fibers along our core routes, we provide industry-leading installation intervals, getting your infrastructure online in a fraction of the time. From local engineering needs to fiber splicing provided by the BIG Fiber operations team, our local support means your vision for connectivity is deployed at scale quickly.
Fortified Security Through Construction Visibility
Security starts the moment we dig the first trench. Because we maintain 100% underground routes and total visibility into our construction activities, we offer a fortified network that is protected from both environmental hazards and physical interference. Greater insight into our construction activities translates directly into a higher level of physical infrastructure security, providing the transparency that is mission-critical for high-stakes enterprise and cloud data.
Why This Matters for the AI Era
As data centers pivot to support massive AI workloads, the physical foundation of the network has never been more important. AI applications and GPU clusters demand extreme bandwidth and ultra-low latency to maintain peak efficiency.
In an AI-driven world, even minor signal fluctuations or patchwork fiber bottlenecks can disrupt the massive data movement required for model training. Purpose-built, homogenous and secure underground fiber is an essential layer that ensures your AI infrastructure can scale at the speed of innovation.
To learn more about our purpose-built networks and how we can advance your network infrastructure, check out our network maps.