# AI Data Centers Cause Fiber Shortfall

> AI data centers create 180 million fiber-km shortfall by 2026.
- Title: AI Data Centers Cause Fiber Shortfall · BigGo Finance
- Summary: AI data centers create 180 million fiber-km shortfall by 2026. AI data centers will cause a 180 million fiber-km supply gap in 2026, pushing prices up to…
- Keywords: ai data centers, fiber supply, trendforce, corning, verizon, meta, at&t, optical fiber, fiber-km, price increase, finance, markets
- Source: BigGo Finance — https://finance.biggo.com/news/24bcd524-0a92-4197-9108-2aafae7fbb56
- Author: BigGo Finance
- Published: 2026-10-19T18:20:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai data centers, fiber supply, trendforce, corning, verizon, meta, at&t, optical fiber, fiber-km, price increase, finance, markets
## Global Fiber Shortfall Forecast
TrendForce forecasts a 180 million fiber-kilometer supply gap in 2026.
## Capacity and Inventory Shift
Industry capacity utilization reached 92% with inventories down to one month from four months in 2024.
## Fiber Price Increases
Bend-insensitive fiber prices projected to rise more than five times 2025 levels.
## Long-Term Contracts
Verizon signed 129 million fiber-kilometer deal with Corning for 2027-2032.
## Corning's Market Position
Corning shares dropped 50% since June peak despite rising demand.
## Meta and Corning Deal
Corning has $6 billion deal with Meta for fiber and connectivity products through 2030.
## Investor Reactions
Sell-side analysts have divergent price targets for Corning shares.
## Key takeaway

AI data centers will cause a 180 million fiber-km supply gap in 2026, pushing prices up to five times 2025 levels.