Dark fiber usage info request - know-how pointers and experience sharing

Looking at dark fiber leasing as an alternative for existing ISP-acquired MPLS, MetroE, P2P, etc. services. I would appreciate some pointers (links) into specific technologies used with dark fiber, as direct consumer (not ISP). I am not looking for the theory behind (C)DWDM, but rather real life implementations and experience with folks operating such. Highly appreciated would also be extra info on what the learning curve required for traditional network engineering crew to operate devices terminating into such, and maybe even work (installation and operation) needed to maintain plants with this infrastructure. TIA, ***Stefan