Meta Signs $6 Billion Fiber-Optic Deal With Corning for AI Data Centers

LONDON, January 27, 2026 — Meta Platforms will pay Gorilla Glass maker Corning up to $6 billion over the next several years in a deal to provide fiber-optic cables for its AI data centers, according to Reuters reporting (January 27, 2026). The landmark agreement positions Meta as the anchor customer for Corning's expanded manufacturing operations in North Carolina, signaling a significant domestic supply chain investment amid heightened focus on AI infrastructure buildout.

Key Takeaways

• On January 27, 2026, Meta and Corning announced a deal worth up to $6 billion through 2030 for fiber-optic cable supply.
• Corning will expand its manufacturing capacity in North Carolina, including its cable factory in Hickory, with Meta as anchor customer.
• Corning shares jumped approximately 7% in premarket trading following the announcement.
• The deal supports Meta's broader commitment to spend $600 billion in U.S. tech infrastructure and jobs over three years.
• Corning projects boosting North Carolina employment by 15% to 20%, supporting over 5,000 workers in the state.

Industry Analysis

What We Know

The fiber-optic agreement emerges as Big Tech companies intensify their AI infrastructure investments. According to Reuters, Corning's optical connectivity products are among key components required to support the massive computing and data transmission demands at data centers. The rising demand from major technology customers including Meta, Microsoft, and Google drove a more than 84% surge in Corning's shares during 2025.

Meta has been spending aggressively on building out data center infrastructure as it races to roll out competitive AI technologies. The social media giant, which has faced challenges in Silicon Valley's AI race, previously committed to spend approximately $600 billion in U.S. tech infrastructure and jobs over three years. Earlier this month, Meta announced its "Meta Compute" initiative to expand AI infrastructure and oversee its global fleet of data centers and supplier partnerships.

Comparison Table: Major AI Infrastructure Deals 2025-2026

Technical Details

Corning will supply advanced optical fiber, cable and connectivity products to Meta while expanding its manufacturing capacity in North Carolina, including at its cable factory in Hickory. The company's fiber-optic technology is essential for high-bandwidth data transmission between servers in AI data centers, where massive parallel processing requires low-latency, high-capacity interconnects.

The agreement builds on technology giants' push to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity under President Donald Trump's administration. "Together with Meta, we're strengthening domestic supply chains and helping ensure that advanced data centers are built using U.S. innovation," Corning CEO Wendell Weeks said, according to company statements.

Why This Matters for Industry Stakeholders

What It Means

For enterprises evaluating AI infrastructure investments, the Meta-Corning deal signals continued acceleration in data center buildout and highlights fiber-optic connectivity as a critical infrastructure layer. Investors should note that both Meta and Corning are due to report quarterly results on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, which may provide additional context on infrastructure spending trajectories.

The deal also underscores the growing importance of domestic supply chain resilience, as major technology companies seek to reduce dependence on overseas manufacturing while meeting AI compute demand. For telecommunications and infrastructure providers, the agreement suggests sustained demand for high-performance optical connectivity solutions through the end of the decade.

Forward Outlook

Looking ahead, industry analysts expect continued investment in AI infrastructure as competition among technology giants intensifies. The Meta-Corning partnership may catalyze similar domestic manufacturing agreements across the technology sector. With both companies reporting earnings this week, market participants will monitor for additional infrastructure commitments and capacity expansion announcements.

The agreement reflects broader trends toward vertical integration of AI supply chains, with leading technology companies securing long-term access to critical components. As AI workloads continue to grow, demand for high-bandwidth optical connectivity is projected to increase substantially through 2030 and beyond.

BUSINESS 2.0 has no commercial relationship with companies mentioned.