NEW YORK (GeokHub) — Meta Platforms is set to invest as much as $6 billion over the coming years in a long-term agreement to secure advanced fiber optic technology for its rapidly expanding artificial intelligence data center network.
Under the deal, Corning will supply high-performance optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions designed to handle the massive computing and data transmission demands generated by AI workloads. The partnership will also see Corning expand manufacturing capacity in North Carolina, where Meta will serve as a major anchor customer.
The agreement is expected to run through the end of the decade, reinforcing Meta’s aggressive push to scale the infrastructure needed to compete in the global AI race.
AI Data Centers Drive Infrastructure Spending
As artificial intelligence models grow larger and more complex, data centers require faster, denser, and more reliable connectivity. Optical fiber systems have become critical components in supporting these next-generation computing environments.
Demand from large technology firms has surged, benefiting suppliers that provide essential data center hardware. Corning’s optical connectivity business has been a key beneficiary of this trend, as major cloud and AI players ramp up spending on infrastructure.
Boost to U.S. Manufacturing and Jobs
The partnership aligns with a broader industry push to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity. Corning plans to expand operations at its North Carolina facilities, supporting thousands of existing jobs and increasing employment in the state over the coming years.
Company executives said the agreement would help reinforce U.S.-based supply chains while ensuring that advanced data centers are built using domestically produced technology.
Meta’s Expanding AI Ambitions
Meta has significantly increased capital spending as it builds out its global network of data centers to support artificial intelligence development. The company recently outlined plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. technology infrastructure and employment over the next several years.
It has also launched a centralized initiative to manage its AI computing resources and oversee supplier partnerships worldwide, signaling a long-term commitment to scaling its AI capabilities.
Both Meta and Corning are scheduled to report quarterly earnings this week, with investors closely watching how infrastructure spending impacts future growth.
