HICKORY – Verizon and Corning have signed a multibillion-dollar supply agreement covering more than 80 million miles of high-density optical fiber and connectivity products from 2027 through 2032.
The companies said the fiber will support Verizon’s expansion of broadband service for homes and businesses while helping build long-haul connections for artificial intelligence data centers. Reuters reported that the companies did not disclose a specific dollar value for the agreement.
The deal extends a relationship between Verizon and Corning that spans about 30 years. Verizon said the agreement is designed to help Corning continue scaling its U.S. manufacturing footprint and will include Corning’s Contour Flow cable, a flexible ribbon cable intended to place more fiber within existing conduit space.
Corning’s large North Carolina manufacturing presence gives the agreement added relevance to the state, although the companies did not assign Tuesday’s order to specific plants or announce new North Carolina jobs tied to the Verizon contract.
Corning said in March that it employed more than 5,000 people in North Carolina. The company is expanding optical cable manufacturing in Hickory for a separate agreement with Meta, a project Corning said could increase its statewide employment by 15% to 20%.
Verizon said the new fiber supply will support its goal of reaching 40 million to 50 million broadband passings. The companies described the deployment as a common backbone for residential broadband, mobile connections and data centers.
Sources
Verizon and Corning agreement announcement
Reuters report on the agreement
Corning’s North Carolina manufacturing announcement