WSJ Tech News Briefing TNB Tech Minute: Meta Strikes Data-Center Fiber-Optic Cable Deal With Corning
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Jan 27, 2026 Christoph Beck, chairman and CEO of Ecolab and water-sustainability expert, discusses sustainability and circular strategies for water and energy in AI data centers. Short takes cover Meta’s big fiber deal, U.S.-South Korea tech tensions, and Amazon’s retail shakeup. Fast-paced, topical, and focused on infrastructure and environmental innovation.
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Meta's Big Domestic Fiber Bet
- Meta signed a multi-year deal worth up to $6 billion to buy fiber-optic cable from Corning for its U.S. data centers.
- Corning will supply advanced optical fiber and expand North Carolina manufacturing to meet Meta's demand.
U.S. Pushes Back On Korean Tech Actions
- The Trump administration warned South Korea against discriminatory rules targeting U.S. tech firms amid trade tensions.
- Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly raised the issue with South Korea's prime minister in a recent meeting.
Amazon Closes Branded Stores
- Amazon plans to close all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores after those formats failed to scale economically.
- The company will convert some sites to Whole Foods and still experiment with physical retail, including a large new Illinois store.