Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) announced an agreement with Corning (NYSE: GLW) for a substantial supply of next-generation optical cables. This fiber-dense cable will more than double Lumen’s U.S. intercity fiber miles, offering significant capacity to major cloud data centers trying to stay ahead of AI workloads and high bandwidth applications fueled by massive amounts of data.
The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) requires at least 10 times more fiber connections within data centers, as well as a robust fiber network to transmit information between these data hubs. With this agreement, Lumen reserves 10 percent of Corning’s global fiber capacity for each of the next two years.
The agreement, which Lumen says is its largest cable purchase, will equip Lumen to meet the network infrastructure needs of major data center operators for years to come, Major data center operators include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), which announced in July that it is investing with Lumen to support the rising AI demand on its data centers.
“Lumen is the network that delivers AI. The rise of AI is driving technology companies to quickly secure fiber and bandwidth before their competition,” comments Kate Johnson, Lumen Technologies President and CEO. “With Corning’s innovative solutions, we are building the backbone of the AI economy. This partnership gives Lumen status as a preferred partner and secures a significant supply of next-generation fiber today and in the future.”
Lumen claims to have the largest ultra-low-loss intercity fiber network in North America. Its U.S. intercity network includes diverse routes to more than 50 major cities across the country. Lumen says it differentiates its network from others by continuously upgrading its cable infrastructure using a multi-conduit system, which enables the quick deployment of the latest fiber technology.
To properly power AI with capacity, performance, stability and speed, Lumen has developed its Private Connectivity Fabric which is a custom network that includes dedicated access to existing fiber in the Lumen network, the installation of new fiber on existing and new routes, and access to Lumen’s digital services.
“As [GenAI] increases bandwidth requirements between data centers, we’re pleased to reach an agreement with Lumen Technologies to provide our latest optical fiber and cable innovations to facilitate Lumen’s build of a new network to interconnect AI-enabled data centers,” said Wendell P. Weeks, Corning chairman and CEO. “This marks the first outside-plant deployment of Corning’s new gen-AI fiber and cable system, which will enable Lumen to fit anywhere from two-to-four times the amount of fiber into their existing conduit.”
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
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