Linda Hardesty

If 2024 is an indicator, AI will be huge for fiber broadband in 2025

35.1 million Americans now subscribe to fiber broadbandIn 2024, there were an additional 10.3 million fiber homes marketed toOf that | Analyst Michael Render said fiber broadband connections grew 13% in 2024 compared to 2023. The U.S. now has 35.1 million homes connected with fiber.

The year 2024 saw some significant M&A activity in fiber broadbandBut 2025 could be even bigger in terms of M&AConsultants a | PwC’s 2025 Media & Telecom Deals Outlook states: “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen so many favorable variables align in anticipation of a robust 2025 M&A market."

Ciena's CEO says company's growth is linked to AI

The headline news is that AT&T is boosting its goal to deploy fiber, now planning to pass 50 million locations by year-end 2029Perhaps more interesting is | AT&T is getting FCC approval for its AT&T Phone Advanced. The product was specifically designed to meet the FCC’s criteria as an adequate replacement for AT&T’s traditional landline phone service.

Sen. | Cruz warned that Congress will review the BEAD program early next year and could make changes including getting rid of the preference for fiber; the requirement for an affordable option for low-income recipients; worker-protection guardrails; and climate change assessments.

Frontier is still planning a shareholder vote on November 13 to approve the purchase by VerizonBut a number of investors object to the deal< | New Street Research reported that Bell is paying a 55% to 117% premium for Ziply over what Verizon is paying for Frontier, for an asset that is very similar.

Bell Canada and Ziply combined would pass about 9 million locations with fiberIf the deal goes through, Bell Canada wants to pass 12 million fiber locations i | Today’s deal announcement between Bell Canada and Ziply would make Bell the third largest fiber internet services provider in North America.

Comcast has accelerated the pace at which it builds broadbandA Comcast executive recently said the company is mainly deploying fiber broadband for new builds< | A Comcast executive said at the recent Fierce Network Broadband Nation Expo that most of the company's new builds today are happening over 10 gig fiber.

The fiber race gets a billion-dollar boost with Corning-AT&T deal