Zayo has announced an expanded strategic supply agreement with Corning to secure a significant portion of the fiber optic cable required for its long-haul network expansion through the remainder of the decade. The agreement provides supply assurance as Zayo executes one of the largest network expansions in its history, planning to add 15,000 new route miles by 2030.
Zayo expands strategic supply agreement with Corning for fiber optic cable.
Secures significant portion of projected fiber needs through 2030.
Plans to add 15,000 new route miles, including 8,000+ miles of new long-haul fiber.
AI infrastructure growth accelerating demand for new network construction.
Agreement strengthens execution of Zayo's network expansion plan.
Zayo network spans 32 million fiber miles across North America.
Zayo has spent years modeling where network demand is headed and deliberately planning how, when, and where it builds. As AI-driven demand accelerates, that planning increasingly extends beyond routes and capacity to the physical materials required to build them. Securing fiber optic cable supply now gives Zayo greater flexibility to scale as demand evolves. AI readiness is physical. Zayo plans to add 15,000 new route miles by 2030, including more than 8,000 miles of new long-haul fiber in collaboration with NVIDIA, while adding capacity across existing corridors where AI infrastructure is concentrating.
"AI infrastructure is changing where and how quickly network capacity needs to be built," said Steve Smith, CEO, Zayo. "We understand where demand is moving, and we're putting the physical inputs in place now to build ahead of it. Deepening our relationship with Corning gives us greater confidence that material availability won't stand between customer demand and the infrastructure required to deliver it."
"AI is driving a fundamental increase in the amount and density of fiber optic cable and connectivity required across the network," said Steve Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Corning Incorporated. "As networks evolve to meet those demands, providers need solutions that can accelerate deployment, increase capacity, and support long-term scalability. Our expanded relationship with Zayo brings together Corning's industry-leading optical innovations with Zayo's network expertise to help build the physical infrastructure required for AI at scale."
"Anyone can draw a route on a map, but building it is a different story. Long-haul construction requires years of planning, permitting, materials, and disciplined execution," said Troy Lupe, Chief Network Officer, Zayo. "Our experience building networks at this scale allows us to anticipate and manage execution risks before they become constraints. Corning understands what it takes to support an expansion of this magnitude and the speed required to deliver it. Securing fiber optic cable supply through our expanded agreement takes one critical variable off the table as we execute our network expansion."
About Zayo
The world's digital future depends on networks that perform. Zayo builds and operates those networks. As the leading digital network infrastructure provider, the Zayo network spans 32 million fiber miles and 224,000 route miles across North America and connects more than 400 markets globally. With dense long-haul and metro fiber connectivity, tailored connectivity solutions, and managed services, Zayo's network underpins the cloud, AI, and enterprise platforms powering the digital economy.
