AT&T signs over $3 billion fiber deal with Corning as data demand surges

Lumen Technologies

29/09/2026 14:27

       Sept 29 (Reuters) - AT&T  T.N  on Tuesday said it had
signed a multi-year deal worth more than $3 billion with Corning
 GLW.N  to procure fiber and cable, as the telecom giant expands
its network to meet surging demand for data.
    Corning shares rose 3.3% in premarket trading. 
    Fiber network build-out has emerged as a critical growth
area for the telecom industry as the wireless market matures and
internet usage surges.
    Growing demand for data-intensive services, including AI
workloads, cloud computing and connected devices, is increasing
the need for faster, more resilient and scalable fiber networks.
    "The average AT&T Fiber household now uses more than 1
terabyte each month, 5x more than in 2016. And that number is
expected to keep climbing," AT&T said.
    Fiber is also seen as a critical component for telecom
companies because it can quickly carry data for services ranging
from video calls and movie streaming to AI tools.
    The company expects aims to reach 60 million fiber locations
by the end of the decade as part of its multi-billion dollar
infrastructure expansion.
    Its $5.75 billion acquisition of Lumen's fiber business has
further expanded its fiber footprint. The company has committed
more than $250 billion over five years to strengthen US
connectivity infrastructure. 

    
    
    

    (Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing
by Tasim Zahid)
 ((HarshitaMary.Varghese@thomsonreuters.com;))