DENVER, June 26 -- Aerie Networks has signed a contract in which Corning Inc. will supply Corning LEAF optical fiber for Aerie's entire 20,000-mile national broadband network. The contract, worth more than $1 billion, calls for Corning to supply 8.9 million fiber miles over the next four years, Aerie said.
After securing access to 14,958 miles of rights of way from 12 energy pipeline and communications companies, our agreement with Corning achieves our next critical milestone by securing the fiber supply for the entire build-out of Aerie network, said Peter Geddis, CEO of Aerie. This partnership represents a significant commitment by both companies to the successful implementation of the largest inter-city, broadband network ever envisioned in this country.
Corning LEAF fiber is a non-zero dispersion-shifted optical fiber (NZDSF), it has higher bandwidth potential, longer optical reach and better system cost efficiency than conventional NZDSF, said Aerie.
Aerie Networks makes and handles broadband technology and business platforms designed to accommodate a variety of new networks with bandwidth capacity. Aerie makes, finances, and markets networks with such companies as AT&T, Intel, LCI, Lucent Technologies, MCI, NorTel, Qwest, Sprint, Sprint PCS, and Williams. Corning makes optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the Telecommunications industry.