May 21, 2025 - News

AT&T looks to expand consumer fiber network in $5.75 billion deal with Lumen

A gray building with "AT&T" written outside it in black — AT&T acquired Time Warner Inc. for $85.4 billion in 2018 and has continued its expansion beyond telecommunications. Photo: Xinhua/Xu Xun via Getty Images

Editor's note: The headline and story have been corrected to show that AT&T acquired parts of Lumen's consumer fiber-to-the-home business in 11 states only (not the whole company), and that this acquisition is expected to help AT&T reach its goal of 60 million locations.

AT&T has reached a $5.75 billion deal with Lumen to expand its consumer fiber network in several cities, including Denver, Las Vegas and Seattle.

Why it matters: AT&T says the acquisition will accelerate its fiber internet expansion.

CEO John Stankey has set a goal of helping 25 million Americans get and keep access to reliable internet. The company is moving away from copper-wired landlines and focusing on wireless and broadband services.

Driving the news: AT&T announced the deal Wednesday and said it will acquire "substantially all" of Lumen's Mass Markets fiber internet connectivity business in 11 states.

How it works: Fiber internet networks are complicated to build and maintain because they use small glass fibers to deliver internet service through light waves. 

The networks are known to transfer information at faster speeds than traditional internet, which relies on electric signals sent over copper wires.

State of play: AT&T says the acquisition will help the company reach its goal of doubling their fiber footprint to about 60 million locations by the end of 2030.

The company is adopting about 1 million of Lumen's consumer fiber subscribers.

What's next: The deal is expected to be finalized next year.

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AT&T looks to expand consumer fiber network in $5.75 billion deal with Lumen

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