Building Broadband Network Resilience | Protect and Restore Connectivity Faster | Corning

Bob Whitman
Published: December 11, 2025

The broadband industry has undergone rapid transformation in recent years and continues to evolve as both consumer connectivity expectations and AI-driven applications reshape network demands. With the addition of federal funding for broadband projects starting to flow, these forces are pushing carriers to quickly adapt, both in terms of how they operate and what they offer customers. As we move into 2026, I expect this evolution to reach new heights, with operators seeking alternative ways to support unprecedented traffic growth.

As we close out the year, here are three key trends I’ll be watching closely as the industry prepares for another year of accelerated change.

1. Carriers play a crucial role in data center interconnects

From AI inference and training to edge computing and automation, data-intensive applications are placing new pressure on data centers and the networks that interconnect them. Hyperscalers have experienced exponential growth over the last few years, accounting for 44% of the worldwide capacity of all data centers, according to Synergy Research Group. And the industry expects more than 100 new hyperscale data centers to be built annually to keep up. Because of this expansion, carriers will increasingly play a central role in building and operating critical interconnects.

Similarly, in the area of data center interconnects (DCI), exponential increases in AI-related traffic are pushing fiber counts to new levels. The number of fibers in a typical DCI cable has already doubled over the past four years, and the trend towards smaller, denser cables will continue as operators look to fit more capacity into existing ducts. Solutions like Corning^® SMF-28^® Contour fiber, which is designed with a smaller outside diameter, allow carriers to add more fibers without the need for larger pathways.

As DCI becomes even more central to the rapid build-out of data centers, I anticipate carriers will ramp up partnerships with hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises to deliver tailored solutions.

There are two other trends that are intertwining – business consolidation, mostly driven by macroeconomic factors, and convergence – meaning the increasing use of the same communications infrastructure for both broadband and wireless connectivity.

These two trends, which had been developing separately, are starting to merge. In the year ahead, corporate merger and acquisition activity will continue to increase across the telecom landscape, driven by the need to stay competitive, streamline operations and deliver more unified user experiences. As part of this, integrating wired and wireless networks will allow carriers to provide seamless connectivity, whether users are at home or on the move. Service bundling will expand as well, combining broadband and mobile offerings under a single umbrella to simplify end user customer use and encourage loyalty.

A recent survey by Lightwave and ISE revealed 44% of companies are already implementing convergence strategies, while another 22% have plans to move towards convergence. The survey found companies using similar strategies to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Roughly 67% of respondents said they are offering discounts by bundling service plans.

There’s an infrastructure story here as well. In an effort to capture more customer opportunities, we’re seeing carriers overbuilding fiber networks, where multiple fiber network operators are passing the same homes. As the industry and companies consolidate, these overbuilds are creating more consumer choice which will likely continue driving prices downward. As the market consolidates, the carriers that thrive will be the ones that invest in agile infrastructure that’s capable of supporting personalized, adaptable service packages.

I expect one of the most long-awaited and anticipated developments for 2026 to be the rollout of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Years in the making, the federal initiative is intended to close the digital divide by connecting unserved and underserved communities across America. As the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approves states’ final proposals, I anticipate we’ll start to see shovels in the ground on these projects as early as Q1 of 2026, ramping up over the next year or so and likely peaking toward the end of 2027.

Carriers who have been waiting for these federally funded projects to be approved have not been sitting idly. We’ve seen many of them make investments in rural broadband on their own. That means the overall BEAD market opportunity is smaller than previously expected — but the good news is that companies like Corning and the broader supplier base are committed to BEAD and have had several years to build the necessary capacity for these deployments, easing concerns about supply constraints and ensuring materials will be available.

The impact of BEAD will be long-lasting, especially in terms of closing the digital divide and uplifting both unserved and underserved communities. By prioritizing broadband access for those who have historically lacked reliable connectivity, the program is set to transform lives in rural and low-income areas. Enhanced internet access enables better educational opportunities for students, supports telehealth services for families, and opens doors to remote work and local entrepreneurship. As BEAD projects roll out, the benefits will be most visible in neighborhoods that have previously been left behind, giving residents the tools they need to thrive in a connected world.

The future is bright

As AI, federal funding, and shifting customer needs reshape the digital landscape, carriers are entering a decisive period of growth and reinvention. Those that invest in scalable infrastructure and embrace expansion will be best positioned to lead the charge in 2026 and beyond.