Chinese bare fibre prices rose more than 80% between November 2025 and January 2026.
Why this market is moving now
- Optical cable use for AI applications grew 138% in 2024, with a further 80% rise forecast for 2025.
- Corning signed four long-term, multibillion-dollar supply deals in the third quarter of 2026, including with Verizon and AT&T.
- Chinese bare fibre prices rose more than 80% in the three months to January 2026, moving above European and Indian prices.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corning's Optical Communications sales rose 44% to $2.38 billion in the third quarter of 2026. | 2.38 USD billion | 2026 | |
| Corning's Enterprise Networks sales grew 84% in the third quarter of 2026, and its generative AI product sales more than doubled. | 84 % growth | 2026 | |
| Corning signed four long-term, multibillion-dollar customer agreements in the third quarter of 2026, including with Verizon and AT&T. | four agreements | 2026 | |
| Prysmian's Digital Solutions revenues were 566 million EUR in the third quarter of 2026, up 17.3% on an organic basis. | 566 EUR million | 2026 | |
| Prysmian's Digital Solutions revenues were 1,557 million EUR in the first nine months of 2026, up 15.1% on an organic basis. | 1,557 EUR million | 2026 | |
| Prysmian's Digital Solutions adjusted EBITDA margin was 25.0% in the third quarter of 2026, up 5.4 percentage points on a year earlier. | 25.0 % margin | 2026 | |
| Data centres were forecast to account for roughly 5% of world optical cable demand in 2025. | 5 % of world optical cable demand | 2025 | |
| Optical cable use for AI applications grew 138% in 2024, with a further 80% rise forecast for 2025. | 138 % growth | 2024 | |
| Chinese bare fibre prices rose more than 80% between November 2025 and January 2026, moving above prices in Europe and India. | 80 % price rise (more than) | 2026 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
Corning
Optical fiber and cable maker; Optical Communications sales were $2.38 billion in Q3 2026.
Prysmian
Cable maker whose Digital Solutions unit had 1,557 million EUR of revenues in the first nine months of 2026.
Verizon
Signed a long-term, multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning in Q3 2026.
AT&T
Signed a long-term, multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning in Q3 2026.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
How every figure was built
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the global fiber optic cable market?
Company sales show the scale. Corning's Optical Communications sales were $2.38 billion in Q3 2026, and Prysmian's Digital Solutions revenues were 1,557 million EUR in the first nine months of 2026.
How much fiber demand comes from data centers?
Data centres were forecast to take roughly 5% of world optical cable demand in 2025. Optical cable use for AI applications grew 138% in 2024, with an 80% rise forecast for 2025.
Which companies lead in fiber optic cable?
Corning grew Optical Communications sales 44% to $2.38 billion in Q3 2026. Prysmian grew Digital Solutions revenues 17.3% organically to 566 million EUR in the same quarter.
Are optical fiber prices rising?
Yes. Chinese bare fibre prices rose more than 80% between November 2025 and January 2026, moving above prices in Europe and India.
Which customers are signing long-term fiber deals?
Corning signed four long-term, multibillion-dollar customer agreements in Q3 2026, including with Verizon and AT&T. Its Enterprise Networks sales grew 84% in that quarter.
How profitable is the fiber cable business?
Prysmian's Digital Solutions adjusted EBITDA margin was 25.0% in Q3 2026, up 5.4 percentage points on a year earlier.
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