Lumen Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed at enhancing network delivery of cloud services and strengthening data center connectivity across the U.S. Under the agreement, Lumen will provide fiber access to AWS data centers, facilitating enterprise clients’ ability to create and deploy AI-driven applications across AWS Regions and Local Zones.
This collaboration is designed to support hundreds of millions of customers, with Lumen leveraging AWS technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced security features to modernize its communications, network, security, and voice solutions portfolio.
This infrastructure update will include Lumen’s Private Connectivity Fabric, enabling private fiber connections between AWS Regions and Local Zones. AWS will utilize its proprietary network technologies on Lumen’s fiber infrastructure to deliver industry-leading security, performance, and availability. Together, AWS and Lumen aim to equip customers with robust tools to develop generative AI applications, train AI models, and deploy new AI products across a high-bandwidth, responsive network.
The partnership is intended to meet growing demands for scalable AI infrastructure, with Kate Johnson, President and CEO of Lumen Technologies, emphasizing the critical role of network dynamism in AI’s transformative impact across industries. “AI is reshaping industries, and the network infrastructure supporting it needs to be just as dynamic and responsive,” said Mr. Johnson. She added that the collaboration with AWS would allow Lumen to provide the necessary high-bandwidth solutions that AI-powered applications require.
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, echoed this sentiment, highlighting generative AI as a key driver of the next innovation wave, relying heavily on secure, scalable cloud infrastructure paired with flexible networking solutions. “Together, AWS and Lumen will enable high-performance network connections that ensure customers across every industry can build and deliver compelling, secure, and reliable AI applications at scale,” he stated. The partnership, he noted, will empower enterprises with scalable infrastructure, allowing them to create innovative AI solutions with a secure and reliable network backbone.
Amazon Bedrock
As part of the alliance, Lumen is also migrating its product and IT platforms to AWS, utilizing advanced tools such as Amazon Bedrock to facilitate network resource planning, optimization, and operational efficiency. This transition is expected to provide Lumen with full network visibility, both on-premises and within the cloud, enabling improved customer service and operational cost reductions. The deployment of Amazon Bedrock’s generative AI capabilities will support Lumen in creating more autonomous, resilient networks capable of faster decision-making.
“By applying generative AI technologies like Amazon Bedrock, Lumen can transform its operations to enable faster decision-making and more autonomous, highly resilient networks,” said Mr. Garman. The advanced AI applications are expected to enable dynamic resource management, rapid identification of service-related issues, and the development of an autonomous network platform.
Lumen views this shift as part of a broader transformation within telecommunications, adopting a disruptive approach that closely mirrors Amazon’s own innovative model. Johnson underscored Lumen’s commitment to “cloudifying” its network and telecom services, stating, “We can support both our transition and our clients’ expanding needs with AWS.”
The collaboration between Lumen and AWS extends a longstanding relationship, as Lumen has supported AWS clients in moving workloads to the cloud as an AWS Managed Service Provider Partner. This experience will play a key role in facilitating a seamless integration of Lumen’s network infrastructure with AWS’s cloud architecture, ultimately empowering customers to harness the full potential of AI technologies.
As the partnership progresses, it is expected to pave the way for new AI-powered solutions across diverse industries, with applications spanning from enhanced customer engagement tools to real-time network management and resource allocation systems.