Have a broadband project planned for 2027? Now is the time to start talking about fiber.
Fiber lead times are starting to stretch. Pricing is under pressure. And increased demand for glass, including demand driven by data center construction, is putting more pressure on an already busy fiber market.
For broadband providers with projects on the books for 2027, the takeaway is simple:
Don’t wait until you need the fiber to start planning for it.
What We’re Seeing in the Fiber Market
In a recent conversation with one of our fiber manufacturing partners, lead times had jumped from approximately 10 weeks to 20 weeks in a very short period of time.
That can change quickly. But it’s exactly why we want customers talking to us now about what they have coming up.
If you wait until construction is approaching to start sourcing fiber, a longer lead time can quickly become a project problem. And with pricing also under pressure, waiting can affect more than your schedule.
Have a 2027 Project?
Start the Conversation Now.
Planning ahead doesn’t mean you need every detail finalized or that you need to place an order today.
It means giving your United Tel-Supply rep a heads-up about what’s coming.
What are you building? What fiber are you expecting to need? When does construction start? What are current lead times and pricing? Is there material worth securing now?
Those are conversations we can start having before you’re up against a deadline.
If buying earlier makes sense, it can help you:
- Get ahead of longer lead times.
- Secure material while it’s available.
- Build realistic delivery times into your project schedule.
- Potentially get ahead of future price increases.
No red tape. Just a better plan before you need the material.
Buy Now. Deploy When You’re Ready.
There’s another reason customers sometimes wait to purchase: they’re not ready to take delivery.
You don’t necessarily have to be.
United Tel-Supply can receive, store and stage customer-purchased equipment, then ship it when and where your project needs it.
That gives you the flexibility to secure material when the timing and pricing make sense without having it show up at your warehouse months before you’re ready for it.
Our Storage, Staging & Shipping services can help bridge the gap between purchasing and deployment, whether you’re coordinating one project or multiple construction locations.
Let’s Get Ahead of It
We can’t tell you exactly what fiber lead times or pricing will look like months from now. What we can tell you is what we’re seeing today.
Lead times are moving. Demand is high. And if you already know you have a 2027 project coming, there’s no reason to wait to start the conversation.