Lightpath expands Phoenix fiber network to meet AI connectivity demands

Lightpath, a leading provider of high-capacity fiber networks, has announced its entry into the Phoenix market with a 230-route-mile fiber network designed to support AI-driven connectivity and low-latency fiber networks. The expansion aims to address the increasing demand for ultra-reliable, high-speed connectivity driven by the rapid growth of data center ecosystems, hyperscaler cloud computing, and AI-powered workloads.

The new network will feature a multi-conduit underground infrastructure capable of supporting 20,000 fiber strands, positioning Phoenix as a critical hub for next-generation digital infrastructure. Lightpath’s network will interconnect eight major data center campuses and carrier hotel locations, with over 30 additional data centers gaining direct access to high-bandwidth connectivity.

How Will Lightpath’s Phoenix Network Support AI and Data Center Growth?

Phoenix has become a focal point for digital infrastructure development, ranking as the fifth-largest data center market globally. The city currently houses 1.6GW of operational data center capacity, with an additional 1GW expected by 2027. Given the increasing demands of AI-driven workloads, which require significantly more bandwidth than traditional cloud operations, the need for high-capacity fiber networks in the region has surged.

Lightpath’s AI-driven connectivity expansion in Phoenix will provide ultra-low latency fiber connections for hyperscalers and enterprises, high-bandwidth infrastructure to power AI training and inference models, direct access to multiple carrier hotels for optimized interconnection, and seamless integration with cloud and enterprise networks for mission-critical applications.

Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath, emphasized the company’s focus on providing next-generation fiber infrastructure to meet AI-powered connectivity demands. He noted that hyperscalers are prioritizing high-bandwidth fiber networks in Phoenix due to its low risk of natural disasters, affordable power availability, and growing data center investments.

What Services Will Lightpath Offer on Its Phoenix Fiber Network?

Lightpath will introduce a full suite of high-capacity fiber network services, catering to hyperscalers, enterprises, government institutions, carriers, and wireless providers. The company’s Phoenix network will include high-count dark fiber solutions for custom network architectures, conduit leasing to support large-scale deployments, Ethernet and wavelength services up to 800 Gbps, and dedicated Internet access for high-reliability enterprise networking.

According to Tim Haverkate, Executive Vice President of Major Infrastructure Solutions at Lightpath, the Phoenix expansion represents the densest fiber network ever built by the company. He added that AI infrastructure demands are ten times higher than traditional multi-cloud networking requirements, necessitating massive fiber density and high-bandwidth solutions.

The construction of the Phoenix fiber network is already in progress, with priority routes expected to go live by Q2 2025. The entire project is slated for completion in 2026, with services being rolled out in phases.

Lightpath Strengthens East Coast Fiber Infrastructure with United Fiber & Data Acquisition

In addition to its Phoenix expansion, Lightpath has finalized the acquisition of United Fiber & Data (UFD), a move that significantly enhances its low-latency fiber networks between New York City and Ashburn—the largest data center and cloud ecosystem in the U.S.

This acquisition provides Lightpath with 323 miles of long-haul fiber along the NYC-Ashburn corridor, 79 miles of metro fiber in New York City and New Jersey, 250 new commercial service locations in Manhattan, and 1,500+ enterprise and data center service locations across the region.

The NYC-Ashburn corridor is critical for AI-driven connectivity, offering geographically diverse, ultra-low latency fiber routes distinct from standard I-95 corridor networks. Since the acquisition was announced, demand has surged, with 25% of the NYC-Ashburn route already under contract, reflecting a 3.5x increase in demand.

What Are Lightpath’s Plans for Edge Computing and AI Services?

To complement its high-capacity fiber network, Lightpath is launching LightCube edge data centers, providing customized, AI-ready infrastructure along the NYC-Ashburn corridor. These facilities are designed to support edge computing, AI training, and high-performance workloads, offering support for 864-count fiber cables for high-density interconnectivity, modular design for scalable AI-driven workloads, and strategic deployment at key interconnection points along the NYC-Ashburn route.

Haverkate highlighted that AI-related demand for fiber networks is outpacing traditional cloud infrastructure needs. With a pipeline of $1 billion in AI-driven demand, Lightpath is positioning itself as a leader in high-bandwidth, low-latency fiber solutions for hyperscalers, enterprises, and cloud providers.

Chris Morley reiterated Lightpath’s commitment to aggressive expansion, both through organic network development and strategic acquisitions. He emphasized that the company is actively seeking additional opportunities to scale its high-capacity fiber networks to meet growing AI and cloud infrastructure demands.

What Does Lightpath’s Expansion Mean for the Future of AI-Driven Connectivity?

Lightpath’s simultaneous expansion into Phoenix’s growing data center market and the NYC-Ashburn corridor reflects a broader industry shift toward AI-powered networking solutions. The company’s investment in high-capacity fiber networks is expected to accelerate AI adoption, support next-generation cloud computing, and enhance ultra-low-latency interconnectivity.

With hyperscalers and enterprises rapidly scaling AI deployments, the demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency fiber networks is projected to grow exponentially. By strategically expanding its infrastructure, Lightpath is solidifying its position as a leading provider of AI-driven connectivity solutions across the U.S.