Lightpath Enters Columbus with AI-Grade Network
Lightpath has announced its expansion into Columbus, OH with a new 102-route mile underground network designed to support AI infrastructure. The project, anchored by a major hyperscaler partner, will connect two strategic data center campuses to the metro corridor, with completion scheduled for mid-2026.
The network will offer comprehensive connectivity services including dark fiber, conduit services, wavelengths up to 800 Gbps, Ethernet, and Internet. Columbus represents Lightpath's second AI-specification network in 2025, following their Phoenix market entry in February. The expansion targets Columbus's growing data center ecosystem, currently the third largest in the Americas with 1.8GW of operational capacity and 3GW planned.
The company reported $110 million in AI-related bookings for 2024, with a remaining demand pipeline of approximately $1 billion. Lightpath also recently acquired United Fiber and Data assets.
Lightpath ha annunciato la sua espansione a Columbus, OH, con una nuova rete sotterranea di 102 miglia progettata per supportare l'infrastruttura AI. Il progetto, sostenuto da un importante partner hyperscaler, collegherà due campus di data center strategici al corridoio metropolitano, con completamento previsto per la metà del 2026.
La rete offrirà servizi di connettività completi, inclusi fibra oscura, servizi di condotto, lunghezze d'onda fino a 800 Gbps, Ethernet e Internet. Columbus rappresenta la seconda rete con specifiche AI di Lightpath nel 2025, dopo l'ingresso nel mercato di Phoenix a febbraio. L'espansione mira all'ecosistema in crescita dei data center di Columbus, attualmente il terzo più grande delle Americhe con 1,8 GW di capacità operativa e 3 GW pianificati.
L'azienda ha riportato 110 milioni di dollari in prenotazioni legate all'AI per il 2024, con un pipeline di domanda rimanente di circa 1 miliardo di dollari. Lightpath ha anche recentemente acquisito gli asset di United Fiber e Data.
Lightpath ha anunciado su expansión a Columbus, OH, con una nueva red subterránea de 102 millas diseñada para apoyar la infraestructura de IA. El proyecto, respaldado por un importante socio hyperscaler, conectará dos campus de centros de datos estratégicos al corredor metropolitano, con finalización programada para mediados de 2026.
La red ofrecerá servicios de conectividad integrales que incluyen fibra oscura, servicios de conducto, longitudes de onda de hasta 800 Gbps, Ethernet e Internet. Columbus representa la segunda red de especificación de IA de Lightpath en 2025, tras su entrada en el mercado de Phoenix en febrero. La expansión se dirige al creciente ecosistema de centros de datos de Columbus, actualmente el tercero más grande de las Américas con 1.8 GW de capacidad operativa y 3 GW planificados.
La empresa reportó 110 millones de dólares en reservas relacionadas con IA para 2024, con un pipeline de demanda restante de aproximadamente 1 mil millones de dólares. Lightpath también adquirió recientemente activos de United Fiber y Data.
라이트패스는 AI 인프라를 지원하기 위해 설계된 새로운 102마일 지하 네트워크와 함께 오하이오주 콜럼버스에서의 확장을 발표했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 주요 하이퍼스케일러 파트너에 의해 지원되며, 두 개의 전략적 데이터 센터 캠퍼스를 메트로 코리도에 연결할 예정으로, 2026년 중반에 완료될 예정입니다.
이 네트워크는 다크 파이버, 관 서비스, 800 Gbps까지의 파장, 이더넷 및 인터넷을 포함한 포괄적인 연결 서비스 제공할 것입니다. 콜럼버스는 2025년 라이트패스의 두 번째 AI 사양 네트워크로, 2월에 피닉스 시장에 진입한 이후입니다. 이 확장은 현재 1.8GW의 운영 용량과 3GW 계획이 있는 아메리카에서 세 번째로 큰 콜럼버스의 성장하는 데이터 센터 생태계를 목표로 하고 있습니다.
회사는 2024년 AI 관련 예약 1억 1천만 달러를 보고했으며, 약 10억 달러의 잔여 수요 파이프라인을 보유하고 있습니다. 라이트패스는 최근 유나이티드 파이버 및 데이터 자산도 인수했습니다.
Lightpath a annoncé son expansion à Columbus, OH, avec un nouveau réseau souterrain de 102 miles conçu pour soutenir l'infrastructure AI. Le projet, soutenu par un partenaire hyperscaler majeur, reliera deux campus de centres de données stratégiques au corridor métropolitain, avec une achèvement prévu pour la mi-2026.
Le réseau offrira des services de connectivité complets, y compris de la fibre noire, des services de conduit, des longueurs d'onde allant jusqu'à 800 Gbps, de l'Ethernet et Internet. Columbus représente le deuxième réseau spécifié AI de Lightpath en 2025, après leur entrée sur le marché de Phoenix en février. L'expansion vise l'écosystème croissant des centres de données de Columbus, actuellement le troisième plus grand des Amériques avec 1,8 GW de capacité opérationnelle et 3 GW prévus.
L'entreprise a rapporté 110 millions de dollars de réservations liées à l'IA pour 2024, avec un pipeline de demande restant d'environ 1 milliard de dollars. Lightpath a également récemment acquis des actifs de United Fiber et Data.
Lightpath hat seine Expansion nach Columbus, OH, mit einem neuen 102-Meilen-Untergrundnetzwerk angekündigt, das zur Unterstützung der KI-Infrastruktur konzipiert wurde. Das Projekt, das von einem wichtigen Hyperscaler-Partner unterstützt wird, wird zwei strategische Rechenzentrumscampusse mit dem städtischen Korridor verbinden, wobei die Fertigstellung für Mitte 2026 geplant ist.
Das Netzwerk wird umfassende Konnektivitätsdienste anbieten, darunter Dark Fiber, Rohrdienste, Wellenlängen von bis zu 800 Gbps, Ethernet und Internet. Columbus stellt das zweite KI-spezifische Netzwerk von Lightpath im Jahr 2025 dar, nach dem Markteintritt in Phoenix im Februar. Die Expansion zielt auf das wachsende Rechenzentrumsökosystem von Columbus ab, das derzeit das drittgrößte in Amerika mit 1,8 GW operativer Kapazität und 3 GW in Planung ist.
Das Unternehmen berichtete von 110 Millionen Dollar an KI-bezogenen Buchungen für 2024, mit einer verbleibenden Nachfragepipeline von etwa 1 Milliarde Dollar. Lightpath hat auch kürzlich Vermögenswerte von United Fiber und Data übernommen.
- $110 million in AI-related bookings secured in 2024
- $1 billion demand pipeline for AI-related opportunities
- Strategic expansion into Columbus, the third-largest data center ecosystem in Americas
- Secured major hyperscaler as anchor customer for Columbus network
- Network completion not expected until mid-2026
- Significant capital investment required for 102-mile network construction
Insights
Lightpath's expansion into Columbus represents a strategic growth initiative for Altice USA's enterprise fiber division. This 102-mile underground network connects key data center campuses and positions ATUS to capture value in America's third-largest data center ecosystem, which currently has 1.8GW of operational capacity with an additional 3GW planned.
The company's second AI-specification network in 2025 (following Phoenix in February) demonstrates accelerating momentum in high-growth markets. Most significantly, the
This expansion strengthens ATUS's enterprise service portfolio, diversifying beyond its traditional cable business with high-margin fiber services like dark fiber, conduit services, and high-capacity wavelengths up to 800 Gbps. The hyperscaler anchor tenant provides stable foundational revenue while allowing Lightpath to serve additional enterprise, education, government, and carrier customers.
While the capex requirements aren't specified, underground fiber deployment of this scale typically represents a significant investment. However, securing hyperscale customers often provides long-term contracts with predictable returns. The mid-2026 completion timeline indicates this will be a multi-year revenue contributor rather than an immediate earnings catalyst.
Constructing 102-Route Miles of High-Density Network Anchored by Major Hyperscaler
The
Lightpath will be offering a full range of infrastructure and connectivity services on its
"Lightpath is pleased to be bringing the future of digital infrastructure to greater
"The
In January, Lightpath announced
About Lightpath
Lightpath is revolutionizing how customers connect to their digital destinations by combining our next-generation network with our next-generation customer service. Lightpath's advanced fiber-optic network offers a comprehensive portfolio of custom-engineered connectivity solutions with unparalleled performance, reliability, and security. Our consultative customer service means we work with you to design, deliver, and support the solution for your unique needs, faster and more easily than ever before. For over 30 years, thousands of enterprises, governments, and educators have trusted Lightpath to power their organization's innovation. Lightpath is jointly owned by Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners.
Follow Lightpath on LinkedIn. For more information, please visit lightpathfiber.com.
For Lightpath Media Inquiries:
JSA for Lightpath
1-866-695-3629
jsa_lightpath@jsa.net
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightpath-enters-columbus-with-ai-grade-network-302416259.html
SOURCE Lightpath
FAQ
What is the size of Lightpath's new Columbus network expansion?
When will Lightpath's Columbus network be completed?
How much AI-related bookings did Lightpath secure in 2024?
What is the current data center capacity in Columbus?
What services will Lightpath offer on its Columbus network?
