Will Lighpath Network Expansion in Columbus Drive ATUS' Stock Price?

Altice, Inc. ATUS recently announced that its subsidiary Lightpath is constructing high-density AI-grade network infrastructure in Colombus, OH. The underground high-fiber count network deployment project spanning 102 route miles is supported by a prominent hyperscaler partner. With a 1.8 GW of operational capacity, the Columbus region is the third largest data center ecosystem in the Americas. Moreover, an additional 3 GW capacity is under construction.

Growing usage of high bandwidth-intensive applications and AI proliferation across industries demands high-capacity data centers to manage large workloads. Hyperscalers that operate such massive-scale data centers need a robust network infrastructure to ensure the optimum functionality of these data centers. Lightpath’s network portfolio is well-equipped to address these requirements.

Following the recent deployment in Colombus, Lightpath will offer a comprehensive network infrastructure and connectivity services, including high-count dark fiber, conduit services, wavelengths up to 800 Gbps, Ethernet, Internet, and more. Access to such capabilities will be a game changer for enterprises, educators, governments, carriers, and wireless providers operating in the region. The Colombus network project is steadily advancing, and it includes multi-conduit systems connecting two data centers south of Colombus downtown to the metro corridor. The projects are expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Will This Deployment Drive ATUS’ Share Performance?

Alitice Lightpath has accelerated the pace of AI-grade network infrastructure expansion across several regions. The company acquired WANRack's network assets and entered the Phoenix market in February 2025. The acquisition of United Fiber and Data assets has also bolstered its infrastructure capabilities. Such strategic acquisitions and network expansion reflect Lightpath’s strategy to capitalize on the growing digital infrastructure demand across data center ecosystems.

Lightpath has witnessed healthy traction from AI-driven demand for scalable infrastructure for seamless broadband connectivity. With $110 million worth of AI-driven digital infrastructure sales to hyperscalers in 2024 and an order pipeline of about $1 billion, the company is well-positioned to gain from solid AI traction. This will likely be a key growth driver for its parent company, Altice.

ATUS’ Stock Price Movement

Shares of Altice have gained 1.2% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 30.7%.

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ATUS’ Zacks Rank and Key Picks

ATUS currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

InterDigital IDCC sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

In the trailing four quarters, InterDigital delivered an earnings surprise of 158.41%. It is a pioneer in advanced mobile technologies that enable wireless communications and capabilities. InterDigital boasts a comprehensive portfolio of more than 33,000 granted patents and applications. The company witnessed an exceptional year in innovation in 2024, with more than 5,000 new patent filings worldwide.

CommScope Holding Company, Inc. COMM sports a Zacks Rank #1 at present. Headquartered in Hickory, NC, CommScope is a premier provider of infrastructure solutions, including wireless and fiber optic solutions, for the core, access and edge layers of communication networks. The company currently operates in three segments — Connectivity and Cable Solutions, Networking, Intelligent Cellular and Security Solutions and Access Network Solutions. CommScope has an established global manufacturing and distribution footprint. Its strategically located manufacturing hubs optimize product delivery timelines.

United States Cellular Corporation USM sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 150%.

U.S. Cellular has taken concrete steps to accelerate subscriber additions and improve churn management. The company aims to offer the best wireless experience to customers by providing superior quality network and national coverage. It is well-positioned to support the investment required for network enhancements, including the deployment of 5G technology.

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