Corning faces a growing fiber optic supply shortage in North America as AI data center demand surges. The company expects fiber demand in the region to grow 22 to 25 percent in 2025, but supply is projected to increase only 12 to 19 percent.
Lead times for bulk buyers exceed 20 weeks
Lead times for bulk buyers now exceed 20 weeks, while small buyers may wait up to a year for delivery. The global fiber optic cable market is forecast to grow at a 4.1 percent compound annual rate from 2025 to 2031, reaching $12.6 billion.
Meta signed a $6 billion multi-year supply agreement with Corning in January 2025. Nvidia invested $300 million in Corning to build three new fiber plants in North Carolina and Texas.
The supply crunch reflects the broader impact of AI infrastructure buildouts on the fiber optic industry. Corning has not confirmed when lead times might return to normal.
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