Media Contact:
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI ON $1.05 BILLION FIBER-
PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS AND 
CORNING
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2017.—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the 
following statement on today’s announcement that Verizon Communications Inc. has agreed to purchase 
at least $1.05 billion in optical fiber from Corning Incorporated.
“The FCC’s top priority is closing the digital divide that has persisted for far too long.  And the key to 
meeting that priority is setting stable, market-friendly rules that will lead to investment in online 
infrastructure.  The FCC has already taken significant actions to promote greater capital expenditure on 
broadband deployment, from reducing regulatory barriers to wiser spending of federal subsidies for build-
out.  Later this week, we will vote on several proposals that would unleash major capital expenditures on 
next-generation networks.
“Against this backdrop, I’m pleased to see that Verizon and Corning have reached a $1.05 billion
agreement under which Corning will manufacture and Verizon will buy up to 12.4 million miles of 
optical fiber each year.  This agreement heralds the construction of ‘densified’ 5G networks that will 
benefit American consumers.  It will create thousands of high-quality jobs building and laying fiber.  And 
it will go a long way toward closing the digital divide.  
“Going forward, the FCC will continue to focus on creating a regulatory climate that favors greater 
investment and competition.  A forward-thinking approach—one that relies on market incentives, rather 
than the tired ideology of heavy-handed Washington micromanagement—is the best way to deliver digital 
opportunity to all Americans.” 
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official 
action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).