AT&T has announced a $1 billion multi-year deal with Corning to supply fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions, aiming to accelerate its high-speed internet business.
AT&T will use Corning’s Evolv connectivity solutions, including Evolv FlexNAP with Multifiber Pushlok Technology, which will be compliant with the Build America, Buy America provisions of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD).
Telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon are increasingly focusing on high-speed internet, a sector traditionally led by broadband providers like Comcast.
AT&T’s bundled service offering, which combines high-speed fiber with wireless phone service discounts, is experiencing rising demand.
AT&T reached 28.3 million fiber passings by Q3 and targets over 30 million by the end of 2025, supported by the Corning deal, which is expected to improve performance and reduce costs.
AT&T Fiber added over 200,000 new customers in Q3, marking 19 consecutive quarters of growth, despite a 30-day work stoppage in the Southeast. This resilience reflects robust demand for fiber services, which drove nearly 17 percent growth in fiber revenues and contributed to 8 percent EBITDA growth in Consumer Wireline.
AT&T’s investments in fiber have shown strong returns, supporting a shift from legacy networks to a more efficient fiber infrastructure. The company’s network of over 28 million fiber passings is on track to reach 30 million by the end of 2025, with potential for an additional 10-15 million locations in the future due to favorable returns on investment.
AT&T’s fiber network supports its wireless business, with four out of ten fiber households subscribing to AT&T’s wireless services. This combined fiber and 5G offering, unique to AT&T, strengthens customer loyalty and increases market share in both broadband and mobility.
Through the GigaPower joint venture with BlackRock and agreements with open access fiber providers, AT&T aims to extend fiber services to new areas, enhancing its position as America’s largest fiber provider.
AT&T’s broadband revenue grew by 6.4 percent in Q3, with a notable fiber revenue increase. Fiber ARPU rose to $70.36, up 3.2 percent from last year, as customers continue to opt for higher-speed tiers.
