Verizon and Corning have entered into a multibillion-dollar agreement to deploy more than 80 million miles of high-density optical fiber across the United States over the next five years. The partnership aims to address growing consumer demand for broadband and converged services, while advancing Verizon’s efforts to expand internet access to a wider range of homes and businesses nationwide.

Announced Tuesday, the agreement is also intended to support the development of the national long-haul fiber backbone essential for AI hyperscalers—large-scale providers of artificial intelligence services. Both companies highlighted the increasing importance of high-density fiber in meeting the demands of emerging AI applications, which require near-zero latency and substantial data throughput to function effectively.

“Securing this volume of fiber allows us to continue building the network of the future at an unprecedented scale,” said Kyle Malady, chief executive of Verizon Business. He emphasized the company’s strategy to position itself as a leading infrastructure partner for AI hyperscalers by expanding critical interconnectivity across the country.

The deal will also enable Corning to scale up its manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. to meet Verizon’s material needs as the telecom giant pursues its convergence strategy, which involves integrating broadband services over extensive fiber networks. While specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the companies underscored the long-term nature of their collaboration in supporting the rapidly evolving telecommunications and AI landscapes.