PODCAST: Debra Freitas, CEO of Light Source Communications, on being a dark fiber resource for hyperscalers
Debra Freitas, CEO of Light Source Communications (LSC), has a simple view of its role as a dark fiber provider: a primary hyperscale and data-center resource on a growth path. LSC is a carrier-neutral, customer-agnostic provider focused on designing, building, and operating custom dark fiber infrastructure purpose-built to deliver capacity for GPU-dense clusters, minimal latency for real-time processing, and diversity to ensure network resilience.
The dark fiber provider’s metro rings in Phoenix, Tulsa, Las Vegas, Kansas City and Indianapolis, as well as its long-haul route linking Tulsa and St. Louis, are delivering connectivity to support hyperscalers, neoclouds, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and other High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications.
Growth is clearly a priority for LSC. In April, LSC announced its latest dark fiber route, bridging Amarillo, Texas, with Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Tulsa, Oklahoma — the third new dark fiber build LSC has commenced this year. Construction is currently underway on dark fiber networks in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tulsa. Additionally, in June, LSC completed a 35-mile ring in Kansas City.
Broadband Pulse recently caught up with Freitas to discuss how Light Source Communications is building new fiber routes based on customer demand and how dark fiber can transform the surrounding communities where data centers are located.
Here’s a timeline for the interview:
Opening/Introduction | 0:00
LSC’s dark fiber | 0:39
Freitas addresses its role as a dark fiber resource for the hyperscale and data center space.
Prioritizing fiber builds | 3:03
LSC is building out new fiber routes based on customer demands.
Regulatory/permitting challenges | 4:50
LSC is taking a proactive approach to getting ahead on permitting by engaging regional vice presidents and right-of-way specialists in each market it serves.
Competitive differentiation | 7:36
Freitas notes that it can stand out from other wholesale providers by focusing on supplying dark fiber to hyperscaler data center providers.
Enterprise service opportunities | 8:42
While they are slower to adopt, LSC sees the potential to extend dark fiber to local governments and educational institutions.
Smart city potential | 10:03
A city could use LSC’s dark fiber to create a private fiber backbone.
Workforce issues | 10:17
LSC has created a deep staff of experienced technicians and network planners to ensure it can complete projects on time and on budget.
Working with ISPs |12:42
LSC notes the potential to provide ISPs with a fiber backbone that would enable them to connect to major data centers and technology hubs.
Network maintenance and co-location services | 13:53
How its managed network service capabilities ease the strain for its customers.
Final thoughts/closing | 15:52
Freitas shares her final thoughts on what she expects to see for the rest of 2026 in serving hyperscaler data center providers with dark fiber.
About our guest
Debra Freitas, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, has led Light Source Communications (LSC) since 2014, overseeing business development, strategic planning, and customer relationships for the dark fiber network owner-operator. A recognized leader in the technology sector, Debra was named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500 and has received multiple honors from the TITAN Women in Business Awards, including Platinum recognition for Outstanding Chief Executive Officer and Gold for Outstanding Female in Digital Transformation. She was also recognized by the TITAN Business Awards in 2025 for her leadership and impact in digital transformation. She earned a Bronze Stevie® Award for Best Female CEO of the Year that same year, when LSC was additionally named a Silver Stevie® Company of the Year. A University of Michigan alumna, Debra is an active member of the Arizona Technology Council, Women’s Tech Forum, and iMasons. She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children, where they enjoy traveling and supporting Michigan football.
About the Podcast
In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.
About the Author
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategy of Lightwave across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products.