Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has entered into a $6 billion agreement with Corning, a renowned glass manufacturer. This strategic partnership is set to accelerate the growth of Meta’s US data center infrastructure by securing a stable supply of fiber-optic technology.
The collaboration entails Corning supplying Meta with optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions while ramping up production to meet the increasing demand. Corning plans to expand its manufacturing capacity at its Hickory, North Carolina, facility, with Meta serving as a key customer. This expansion will lead to the creation of up to 20% more jobs in the state, including roles for scientists, engineers, and production teams at manufacturing sites in Hickory and Durham, which are among the largest in the world for optical fiber and cable production.
Corning’s CEO, Wendell Weeks, expressed the company’s dedication to developing and manufacturing cutting-edge technologies that support the next generation of data centers in the United States through this long-term collaboration with Meta.
According to Ron Westfall, vice president and analyst at HyperFrame Research, this agreement signifies a significant milestone in the US data center landscape. He emphasized that Meta’s shift from being a mere consumer of components to a strategic architect of the domestic supply chain will help prevent potential delays in expansion caused by fiber shortages that have affected competitors.
