Wireless networks operating on a fiber infrastructure offer the most robust broadband connection by far. Such networks can support higher uses of bandwidth and are more capable of adapting to future technological developments.

Benefits: As opposed to networks running on the more common copper-based infrastructure, which supports only a limited amount of bandwidth, fiber-optic cables have virtually endless broadband capacity. Fiber also supports "triple play" since it is able to carry telephone, Internet, and cable in the same wire. This brings greater revenues to the network owner, and protects municipalities from having to upgrade their wired infrastructure in the foreseeable future to adapt to developments in communications.

Costs: Fiber-optic cable has not yet been laid down in many parts of the country. Municipalities are therefore often required to make large initial investments if they plan to offer fiber-based broadband to their residents. In areas where dark fiber is available for use, cities can avoid some or all of these costs.

Dark fiber: During the telecom bubble of the 1990s, companies laid down fiber in some areas of the country. Since some businesses working with fiber later went bankrupt, much of that fiber is currently "dark," or not in use. In some cases, cities are not even aware that dark fiber exists on their premises. Before deciding on how they will deploy a community wireless network, municipalities would therefore be wise to look into the availability of dark fiber in their region.