Estimates are that 95% of the fiber optics cable laid in the 1990s is 'dark,' that is, not currently being used to transmit voice and data. Most companies that lay fiber--predominantly telecommunications companies, tend to overbuild. Laying fiber involves digging up streets and parking lots. It affects the entire community and impacts businesses that may or may not ever benefit from the fiber itself. In addition, most companies have discovered that after investing huge amounts of money in laying the fiber optics cable they have no affordable solutions for going the 'last mile' and actually making the connection in people's homes and businesses.
"There's a lot of dark fiber out there that may not ever be lit," says Barry Moore, sales manager of Sprint's Seattle branch. Like most telecom companies, Sprint won't disclose how much of its Seattle network is in use....from Fiber-optic lines languish under scarred city streets in The Seattle Times: Business & Technology Posted by dcoates at January 29, 2002 02:03 PM