AT T shores up $3bn fiber supplies with Corning – as telcos get ‘supercycle’ fever

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Published: 2026-09-29T15:55:31.341Z • Permanent link

AT&T has secured a $3 billion deal to boost its fiber supplies with Corning, a leading manufacturer of optical fibers and components. This significant partnership is part of AT&T's efforts to expand its fiber network, which is critical for supporting the growing demand for high-speed internet and data transmission. The deal marks a major development in the telecom industry's "supercycle," a period of rapid growth and investment in fiber infrastructure that is expected to drive the sector's expansion over the next few years.

Corning's expertise in fiber optics will enable AT&T to increase its fiber capacity, reduce latency, and improve overall network performance. The partnership is also seen as a strategic move by AT&T to strengthen its position in the highly competitive telecom market. David Dorsanini, AT&T's Senior Vice President of Network Strategy, stated that the deal will help the company "enhance its network capabilities and provide faster, more reliable connectivity to customers." The partnership is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the first phase of the project already underway.

In a statement, Corning's CEO, Wendell Weeks, highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying that it will "enable AT&T to deliver faster, more reliable connectivity to customers and drive growth in the company's fiber business." The deal is also seen as a vote of confidence in the long-term prospects of the telecom industry, which is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet and data transmission.

The AT&T-Corning partnership has significant implications for the telecom industry, particularly for companies that rely on fiber infrastructure to support their operations. For example, Verizon Communications, another major telecom operator, has also been investing heavily in fiber infrastructure to stay ahead of the competition. The deal is also expected to drive growth in the market for optical fibers and components, which is expected to reach $10.3 billion by 2025, up from $6.4 billion in 2020.

Research communities and markets are also expected to benefit from the partnership, as the increased demand for high-speed internet and data transmission drives the need for faster, more reliable connectivity. The deal is also seen as a positive development for policymakers, who are seeking to promote investment in fiber infrastructure as part of their efforts to promote economic growth and digital inclusion. For example, the US government has launched initiatives to promote investment in fiber infrastructure, including the "Connect America Fund," which provides funding for companies to build and upgrade fiber networks in rural areas.

The AT&T-Corning partnership is part of a larger trend in the telecom industry, which is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet and data transmission. The industry is also experiencing increased competition, driven by the emergence of new players such as Google and Facebook, which are investing heavily in fiber infrastructure to support their operations. This has led to a "supercycle" of investment in fiber infrastructure, with companies such as AT&T and Verizon Communications investing billions of dollars to build and upgrade their networks.