Lightpath is enabling the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with a new 230-route mile, high-fiber count network that will deliver a massive connectivity boost to the Phoenix, Arizona, region.
This is the all-fiber infrastructure-based connectivity provider’s first foray into the Phoenix market, delivering underground, multi-conduit systems with capacity for 20,000 fibers, connecting eight data center campuses and carrier hotel locations, along with another 30-plus data center campuses near the planned routes. This cutting-edge network infrastructure is critical to unleashing the power of AI by boosting connectivity between data centers.
“The incredible fiber density in our Phoenix network is designed to support AI workload requirements that are estimated to be 10x those required to serve today’s multi-cloud network architectures,” said Tim Haverkate, EVP of Major Infrastructure Solutions, Lightpath. “Add to that more capacity for other market segments and customers, and this is the densest network we have ever brought to market, by far.”
Anchored by multiple hyperscaler customers, the network will connect emerging data center ecosystems in Goodyear, Buckeye, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, and Tempe, as well as additional connectivity to major carrier hotels throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The Phoenix network will boast Lightpath’s full range of infrastructure and connectivity services, including high-count dark fiber, conduit services, wavelengths up to 800 Gbps, Ethernet, Internet, and more. In addition to hyperscalers, the network will be available to enterprises, educators, governments, carriers, and wireless providers. Construction is underway. Priority routes are expected to be complete in the second quarter of this year, with subsequent routes service-ready on a phased basis and overall completion in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with our hyperscale customers to develop the next generation of fiber infrastructure in greater metropolitan Phoenix,” said Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath. “Phoenix represents the fifth largest data center ecosystem globally with 1.6GW of operational capacity and an additional 1+GW planned by 2027.”
The network is designed to meet the unprecedented connectivity demand the company is seeing from hyperscalers planning for AI-related initiatives, which includes $110 million of AI-related bookings last year and an additional approximately $1 billion in the pipeline.
Read the full announcement here.
