08/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/23/2024 02:43
Recognizing the urgent need to bring high-speed broadband services to areas of the country still on the wrong side of the digital divide, the US government established the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The initiative makes $42.5 billion available to service providers deploying high-capacity networks in the nation's most left-behind areas. To access a portion of the funding, the equipment used must comply with Build America, Buy America (BABA) - a requirement that aligns perfectly with Adtran's long-established approach. Our unwavering commitment to US-based manufacturing and our long history of domestic production naturally meet these standards, positioning Adtran as the ideal vendor for BEAD grant seekers.
Adtran is now self-certified
Given the opportunities the BEAD program presents, every telco equipment manufacturer would like to market itself as Build America-compliant. However, it takes time to establish supply chains and a manufacturing base that ensures compliance with strict federal funding rules.
Amid the industry scramble to claim BABA compliance, the Department of Commerce has recognized service providers may face difficulty understanding which vendors' solutions will be sure to qualify for BEAD funding. That's why it's enabling technology manufacturers to self-certify that the products they design, build and distribute comply with Build America rules.
Our unwavering commitment to US-based manufacturing positions Adtran as the ideal vendor for BEAD grant seekers.Adtran's list of BABA-certified products includes our AI-driven optical line terminals, optical network terminals, pluggable optics and cabinet assemblies. All materials and equipment that must be produced domestically are designed by Adtran engineers and assembled at our facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This also ensures we can apply the highest standards of quality control at every step.The self-certification process doesn't end with us simply declaring compliance. All technology must be approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), who publish and maintain a list of BABA-compliant manufacturers. This gives providers seeking federal funding full confidence that a vendor's solutions meet US manufacturing requirements as described in The Department of Commerce Final Limited General Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of BABA, issued February 23, 2024.
Connecting America
The industry-leading solutions we design and build at our Huntsville facility enable us to remain at the forefront of national and global efforts to connect the unconnected. Now that the US government is providing considerable financial incentives to service providers that leverage American-made networking equipment, we can continue to scale up our operations and accelerate our efforts to boost connectivity in every corner of the nation.
Check out our Built for BEAD page to learn more about how the government's BEAD program aligns with Adtran's vision for a digitally inclusive future.