AT&T Signs $3 Billion-Plus Fiber Deal With Corning to Expand Its Network

AT&T has entered into a new multi-year agreement with Corning valued at more than $3 billion, securing a major supply of fiber optic cable and related connectivity products as the telecom giant continues expanding its U.S. broadband network.

The agreement comes as demand for high-speed internet continues to rise, driven by streaming, cloud computing, gaming, connected devices and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence applications.

AT&T Expands Its Fiber Footprint

Under the agreement, Corning will provide the optical fiber and cable required for AT&T's ongoing network expansion. AT&T says the deal will support its goal of making fiber connectivity available to 60 million locations by the end of 2030.

AT&T has been significantly increasing its investment in fiber infrastructure as data consumption grows. The company says the average household using AT&T Fiber now consumes more than 1TB of data per month, which is around five times higher than the level recorded in 2016.

AT&T expects monthly household data usage to reach approximately 2 to 2.5TB by 2030, making high-capacity fiber infrastructure increasingly important.

AI and Growing Data Demand

Artificial intelligence is one of the factors contributing to the increasing demand for network capacity. AI services, cloud platforms and other data-intensive applications require networks capable of moving large amounts of information quickly and reliably.

Fiber technology provides the high capacity needed for applications ranging from video calls and streaming to business services, cloud computing and AI workloads. AT&T plans to combine its fiber infrastructure with its wireless network, while satellite connectivity will complement those networks in some remote areas.

Corning to Supply Fiber and Cable

Corning, a major manufacturer of optical communications products, will supply the fiber and cable needed for AT&T's expansion under the agreement.

The deal also strengthens the companies' long-standing relationship. Both companies highlighted their investments in U.S. manufacturing and connectivity infrastructure.

Corning has been expanding its domestic fiber and cable manufacturing operations, while AT&T continues investing heavily in its U.S. communications infrastructure.

AT&T's Broader Infrastructure Investment

The new agreement forms part of AT&T's broader infrastructure strategy. The company has committed more than $250 billion over five years toward strengthening connectivity infrastructure in the United States.

AT&T also recently expanded its fiber footprint through its $5.75 billion acquisition of Lumen Technologies' fiber business, further increasing the scale of its broadband operations.

The company says the financial impact of the Corning agreement is already reflected in the financial outlook and capital allocation plan provided with its second-quarter 2026 results.

A Major Fiber Expansion Ahead

With internet usage continuing to increase and AI adding new demands on communications infrastructure, AT&T is preparing for substantially higher network traffic over the coming years.

The more than $3 billion Corning agreement gives AT&T a long-term supply arrangement for the fiber and cable needed to continue its network buildout. If AT&T reaches its target of 60 million fiber locations by 2030, the company's fiber network will have expanded significantly compared with its existing footprint.

For Corning, meanwhile, the agreement represents another major fiber contract as telecom operators and technology companies invest in infrastructure capable of supporting the next generation of broadband and AI-driven services.

Key Highlights

• Deal value: More than $3 billion
• Agreement: Multi-year fiber and cable supply deal
• Companies: AT&T and Corning
• AT&T's 2030 target: 60 million fiber locations
• Current AT&T Fiber household usage: More than 1TB per month
• Projected usage by 2030: 2–2.5TB per month
• Major demand drivers: AI, cloud computing, streaming, gaming and connected devices
• AT&T five-year infrastructure commitment: More than $250 billion

The agreement underscores the growing importance of fiber infrastructure as internet traffic rises and AI increasingly becomes part of everyday digital services.