Not only is the number of Scale-Out interconnects within individual AI data centers increasing rapidly as deployments continue to expand, but demand for Scale-Across connectivity between data centers is also rising in parallel. This trend is significantly increasing the reliance of network architectures on optical transmission technologies, thereby driving demand for fiber-optic and cabling infrastructure. While market attention has traditionally focused on core computing components such as GPUs, HBM, and high-speed switches, the optical fiber supply chain is emerging as a new bottleneck for AI infrastructure as AI clusters scale toward hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of accelerators.
Technology roadmaps from companies such as NVIDIA, Google, and Microsoft indicate that AI system bandwidth requirements will continue to grow exponentially. This means the limitations of traditional copper cabling in transmission distance, power consumption, and thermal management will become increasingly pronounced as Scale-Up interconnect bandwidth between AI chips within the rack increases. TrendForce expects that, beginning in 2028, some high-end AI systems will start adopting optical fiber and Silicon Photonics (SiPh) technologies to replace copper-based interconnects, further accelerating demand growth across the optical communications ecosystem.
Against this backdrop, hyperscalers have begun to view optical fiber as a strategic resource on par with GPUs and HBM. Since the beginning of the year, Corning has secured investments, capacity expansion support, and long-term procurement agreements from major industry players, including Meta, NVIDIA, and Amazon. These developments suggest that leading CSPs are proactively securing fiber supply capacity years in advance. Amazon’s partnership with Corning not only demonstrates that the AI infrastructure race has expanded beyond computing resources into optical communications infrastructure, but also signals the industry's entry into an era of “optical infrastructure competition.” Looking ahead, optical connectivity will no longer be viewed merely as a data center cost item; instead, it will become a critical strategic asset that determines the pace of AI factory expansion and long-term competitive advantage.