Verizon announced a more than $1 billion deal to link Google data centres using its dark fibre routes, part of a new “AI Connect” business initiative disclosed during its Q2 2026 earnings call.
The plan involves tearing copper wiring out of central offices and converting them into small “remote data centres” suitable for low-latency AI inference workloads (robotics, remote surgery, autonomous driving).
CEO Dan Schulman said a small trial “sold out capability in 24 hours” and that additional multi-billion-dollar AI deals would be announced by year-end.
Verizon’s fibre footprint grew from 15 to 31 states after its $20 billion Frontier Communications acquisition. The company continues cutting jobs — after laying off 13,000 workers at end-2025, it recently transferred 274 retail stores to franchisees along with 2,500 employees and cut another 500 corporate positions.
