Meta Platforms Inc. has entered into a monumental agreement with Corning Inc. to supply fiber-optic cables for the tech giant’s expanding data center network. Announced on January 27, 2026, the $6 billion multiyear deal is set to play a pivotal role in the future of Meta’s data infrastructure, supporting its ambitious technology and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
A New Era of U.S. Technology Infrastructure
Meta’s commitment to advancing U.S. technology infrastructure is taking center stage in the company’s strategy for the next several years. In November 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed plans to invest $600 billion into U.S. infrastructure over the next three years. This investment will focus on the development of cutting-edge data centers, designed to power platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Meta’s data centers are critical to its operations. The company currently operates 26 centers across the United States, and one of its most ambitious projects is the $10 billion Richland Parish data center in northeast Louisiana. Set to be one of the largest data centers in the world, the Richland Parish center will span more than 4 million square feet and deliver more than 2 gigawatts of computing power when fully completed.
“This is a massive effort, and over the coming years, it will drive our core products and business, unlock historic innovation, and extend American technology leadership,” Zuckerberg said in a post announcing the development of the Richland Parish data center.
Why Fiber-Optic Cables Are Key to Data Center Success
At the heart of this monumental effort lies the need for high-performance fiber-optic cables. Meta emphasized the importance of these cables, noting that they are vital for data center operations. Fiber-optic cables, which use light signals to transmit vast amounts of data, can carry immense quantities of information at high speeds. According to Corning, just one optical fiber link can handle more than 50 terabits of data, which is sufficient to support 10 million simultaneous HD video streams.
The partnership between Meta and Corning ensures that Meta will have access to a steady supply of optical fiber cables, supporting the construction and growth of its data centers across the U.S. As part of the deal, Corning will significantly expand its optical cable manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina. This expansion will allow Corning to meet Meta’s demand and position the company as the anchor customer at the site.
Corning’s Expanding Role in Fiber-Optic Manufacturing
Corning is no stranger to innovation in optical connectivity. The company’s manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina, which opened in March 2023, is a key hub in the production of fiber-optic cables. The latest agreement with Meta will further solidify Corning’s role as a leading supplier of optical cables for the next generation of U.S. data centers.
In response to the growing demand, Corning will expand the Hickory facility, increasing its workforce by 15 to 20 percent. This expansion will create more than 5,000 new jobs in production, scientific research, and engineering. Corning’s commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing is a central theme of this partnership, with CEO and Chairman Wendell Weeks highlighting the company’s focus on developing and producing technologies that power future data centers.
“This long-term partnership with Meta reflects Corning’s commitment to develop, innovate, and manufacture the critical technologies that power next-generation data centers here in the U.S.,” Weeks stated.
Economic Impact and Expansion Plans
The impact of this partnership extends beyond Meta and Corning to the broader economy. Corning’s investment in its North Carolina facility comes at a time when the company is expanding its operations significantly. In October 2025, Corning, in collaboration with the city of Hickory and Catawba County, announced an expansion with a capital investment between $170 million and $270 million. Corning also received a 32.92-acre site at no cost, alongside nearly $2.7 million in tax incentives over five years. This growth will support additional production capacity at the Trivium Corporate Center, located near the manufacturing site.
Meta’s Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-based manufacturing for building the country’s most advanced data centers. “Building the most advanced data centers in the U.S. requires world-class partners and American manufacturing,” Kaplan said. “We’re proud to partner with Corning—a company with deep expertise in optical connectivity and a commitment to domestic manufacturing—for the high-performance fiber-optic cables our AI infrastructure needs.”
Strengthening U.S. Job Markets and Local Economies
In addition to strengthening Meta’s technological backbone, the partnership will create numerous high-paying, skilled jobs in the U.S. Corning’s expanded operations in North Carolina are expected to support local economies by generating thousands of jobs in various fields. The collaboration between Meta and Corning represents a commitment to the growth of both the tech industry and the U.S. manufacturing sector, providing employment opportunities and driving economic development in the region.
Meta’s Vision for AI Infrastructure
As Meta continues to invest in AI and cloud infrastructure, the collaboration with Corning is poised to support its long-term goals. With fiber-optic cables playing a critical role in AI development, the supply of these cables ensures that Meta can scale its data centers to meet the demands of future technologies. As the company works to build a robust AI infrastructure, this partnership with Corning represents a key step toward securing the U.S.’s technological leadership on the global stage.
