FirstLight Selected Netcracker to Modernize Fiber Network
The telecommunications provider is replacing legacy systems with an AI-native operations platform to increase efficiency.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Telecommunications
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FirstLight has selected Netcracker's Intelligent Operations Platform to manage its fiber-optic network across the U.S. This shift replaces multiple legacy systems with AI-driven tools to support the company's 20,000 route-mile infrastructure.
Why it matters
The transition to AI-native management aims to accelerate FirstLight's ongoing fiber buildout and enhance operational efficiency across its service footprint. By automating network management, the firm looks to better support bandwidth demands up to 800Gbps.
The network spans 20,000 route-miles across six U.S. states and currently supports throughput up to 800Gbps. This infrastructure connects 16,000 locations with 168,000 additional sites in proximity.
The players
FirstLight
A telecommunications provider operating a 20,000 route-mile fiber network that delivers data, internet, cloud, and cybersecurity services.
Netcracker
A software company that provides BSS/OSS and AI-native digital transformation platforms for telecommunications service providers.
The details
FirstLight is migrating from a fragmented environment of legacy systems to Netcracker's AI-Native Operations platform. This architecture leverages artificial intelligence to automate network tasks and streamline lifecycle management. By consolidating control through a single platform, FirstLight expects to move toward increasingly autonomous network operations.
Timeline
The partnership was announced on September 24, 2026.
The Tech Race
This deployment follows the industry pattern of replacing aging, fragmented back-office systems with unified, AI-driven automation layers to improve network scalability. It positions FirstLight to compete more effectively against larger incumbents by reducing the manual overhead required for fiber expansion.
The transition intends to facilitate a more rapid expansion of FirstLight's fiber footprint, potentially increasing availability for enterprise clients. Existing customers may see improved network reliability and faster provisioning times as the company moves to autonomous operations.
The takeaway
The move underscores the growing necessity for AI-driven automation in managing dense, high-bandwidth fiber networks. Watch for updates on the firm's progress in retiring its remaining legacy systems and any subsequent performance benchmarks recorded after the full migration.
Further reading
For more on the current state of infrastructure automation, explore our Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Thefastmode.
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