27 Jun Dark fibre and sustainability: how to improve efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint

Dark fibre is positioning itself as a key solution not only for business connectivity needs but also for driving sustainability. In a world where efficiency and environmental responsibility are increasingly critical, understanding how this infrastructure can help reduce the carbon footprint is essential for forward-thinking companies.

Defining dark fibre and its relevance to sustainability

To easily understand the concept, it helps to draw a parallel with a highway: the vehicles would be data blocks. A highway available and ready to use when needed, but with no traffic. That is, in essence, dark fibre: fibre optic strands installed but not yet activated—or “lit”—by the provider. This characteristic gives companies full control over their network and an almost unlimited capacity to scale, adapting to future technological demands.

But its value goes beyond pure connectivity; dark fibre is a strategic ally in the pursuit of sustainability. By offering a passive infrastructure, it presents inherent advantages that contribute to a lower environmental impact.

Benefits of dark fibre for a greener future

Adopting dark fibre as part of a company’s technology strategy carries multiple environmental benefits. These translate into more efficient operations and a tangible commitment to reducing ecological impact. We highlight three fundamental pillars:

Superior energy efficiency

Since it is not “lit” by default, dark fibre does not consume energy until the company decides to activate it with its own equipment. This contrasts with lit services that require active equipment in the provider’s network, constantly consuming energy. Fewer active devices from the start result in lower overall energy consumption.

Reduction of the carbon footprint

As a direct consequence of energy efficiency, the reduction of the carbon footprint is significant. Additionally, by opting for dark fibre, the need to manufacture and deploy additional equipment in the provider’s network for each client is minimised, reducing emissions associated with the production and transportation of that equipment.

Longevity and lower environmental impact

Dark fibre infrastructure is inherently durable, designed to provide decades of service. This reduces the frequency of replacements and, consequently, the generation of electronic waste—a growing global concern. Its scalability allows bandwidth to be increased without the need for new civil works, protecting the environment and avoiding the disruption and resource consumption associated with digging and laying new cables.

Dark fibre: Pillar of tomorrow’s green digital network

The telecommunications sector is undergoing a transformation towards greener models, and dark fibre plays a crucial role in this evolution. The increasing adoption of clean technologies and the need for efficient connectivity are driving a greener future for telecommunications. Dark fibre fits perfectly into this vision of a green digital network. It enables companies to:

• Deploy their own transmission technologies, optimised for energy consumption.

• Support the massive data volume generated by IoT (Internet of Things) solutions applied to energy management, smart cities, or precision agriculture, based on an efficient network infrastructure.

• Facilitate the transition to cloud services and remote work, reducing travel and, consequently, emissions.

Sustainability is no longer optional; it is a market and planetary requirement. Companies integrating environmental criteria into their technology infrastructure not only contribute to a better future but also gain efficiency and reputation, positioning themselves as leaders in their sectors.

In short, investing in dark fibre not only means ensuring robust and scalable connectivity for the future of your business. It also represents an active commitment to sustainability, optimising resources and minimising environmental impact. Making such a commitment is a firm step towards a more efficient and responsible telecommunications infrastructure, where dark fibre plays a leading role.