Fiber Suppliers Say They Can Meet BEAD and AI Demand

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 – Demand for American-made fiber is high, given the rapid expansion of data centers and a multibillion-dollar broadband expansion program about to start getting off the ground. Major fiber manufacturers say they have the situation under control.

“Against this backdrop, each of us wants to be clear – and unequivocal – about one thing: The U.S. fiber and cable manufacturing industry has the capacity to support the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, fully meeting Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, for its entire duration,” executives from Corning, AFL, Prysmian, and Lightera wrote in a Monday blog post.

The $42.45 billion BEAD program’s BABA requirements dictate that materials used in funded networks, including the fiber set to connect more than 2.5 million rural locations under the program, must be American-made. Rural ISPs have expressed concern about their ability to secure that fiber on timelines and at prices that work for their build plans, and described longstanding orders being disrupted recently.