Dark Fiber

TMCnet Contributing Editor

Lexent Metro ConnectAccording to Lexent officials, "To improve traffic flow in the city during the busy holiday season, the New York City Department of Transportation restricts street and sidewalk construction from November 20 through January 2 from 6 a.m. to midnight."

As a result, Lexent Metro Connect's people will often work in the early morning hours to install dark fiber to and from enterprise buildings, financial exchanges and/or data center facilities, "while being mindful of the embargo."

Back in August TMCnet Every year, Lexent officials bemoan, the construction embargo "makes it difficult, if not impossible, for other fiber-optic installation firms to begin and complete new installation projects on timely schedules."

However, Lexent uses its own dark fiber network and its force of over 300 service workers to continue construction throughout the embargo. Company officials say they also use their relationship with sister company Hugh O'Kane Electric, a 63-year old construction management veteran. 

"Lexent Metro Connect owns and maintains its own dark fiber network," says Ray La Chance, President of Lexent Metro Connect, calling it "a distinct benefit to enterprise customers and telecom operators."

The construction embargo does not apply to the state of New Jersey. Lexent's network expansion into New Jersey data centers and financial exchanges is continuing on schedule: "The next phase, including further network builds into Secaucus, Newark, Weehawken and North Bergen, will be complete by the first quarter of 2010," company officials say.  reported that Lexent (News - Alert) Metro Connect announced a partnership with FiberMedia to offer network access space to the hotel 75 Broad Street.

, which sells the dark fiber networks in the New York Metropolitan area, has announced its continuing commitment to 30-day timelines for dark fiber installations in Manhattan, "even during New York City's annual holiday construction embargo."