Verizon Announces $1 Billion Dark Fiber Deal with Google and AI Data Center Expansion

Verizon has revealed a $1 billion agreement to connect Google data centers using its dark fiber network, alongside plans to convert copper wiring in central offices into small data centers optimized for AI inference. The initiative, called AI Connect, was announced during the company's Q2 2026 earnings call. CEO Dan Schulman stated that Verizon expects to announce additional AI-related deals worth multiple billions of dollars in revenue over the next several years, highlighting growing demand for ultra-low latency connectivity to power applications like robotics and autonomous driving.