Lightpath’s new fiber build capitalizes on Eastern Pennsylvania's emerging hyperscale data center ecosystem

A rippling effect

Lightpath’s new network in Eastern Pennsylvania will have an influence on other surrounding key data center markets.

When combined with Lightpath’s existing fiber footprint, the new network will enable ultrahigh bandwidth connectivity between the new hyperscale AI data center facilities in Eastern Pennsylvania with Ashburn, Virginia, the world’s largest data center and cloud ecosystem.

It will also connect Eastern Pennsylvania to New York City and New Jersey, the largest population centers in the country. Lightpath expects to complete the new network route in mid-2026. 

As it does in other markets where it has a fiber presence, Lightpath will offer a full range of AI-grade network infrastructure and connectivity services on the Pennsylvania fiber assets, including high-count dark fiber, conduit, wavelengths up to 800 Gbps, Ethernet and Internet services.

Besides serving hyperscalers, the network will be available to support the connectivity requirements of enterprises, educators, governments, carriers, and wireless providers. 

“The Susquehanna region in Pennsylvania represents a massive opportunity for AI digital infrastructure given the unique power capacity and data center plans announced for the area,” stated Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath. “Additionally, the area’s proximity to the densely populated Northeast will provide our customers with high-scale connectivity options for latency-sensitive AI workloads that would not be possible from data centers in other parts of the country.”

Multi-market expansion

While Eastern Pennsylvania is Lightpath’s latest fiber build targeting emerging AI opportunities, it’s not its first.

Eastern Pennsylvania is Lightpath’s third new regional network built to AI specifications, announced this year following the company’s entrances into the Phoenix market in February and the Columbus market in April.

Tim Haverkate, EVP of Major Infrastructure Solutions, Lightpath, said this project is “continuing evidence of the trust Lightpath has earned through our tailored approach in connecting these large-scale AI infrastructure markets.”

These network builds are all centered around Lightpath’s pursuit of AI demands. In January, it announced $110 million of AI-related bookings in 2024, with a remaining demand pipeline of approximately $1 billion. 

It said its 2024 bookings and pipeline were driven by demand from all large hyperscalers looking to secure massive bandwidth for current and future AI initiatives.

Lightpath indicated it sees “significant sales and demand across more than 10 markets, including existing and new markets.”

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