Elodie Collins
Nokia has self-certified that its fiber offerings are manufactured in the United States, allowing internet service providers to meet requirements set by the Department of Commerce’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, which seeks to expand high-speed internet coverage and bridge the digital gap across the United States.
The telecommunications company said Monday that it has become the first to self-certify that all its fiber broadband products manufactured in the U.S. are Build America Buy America-compliant.
Following the milestone, the National Telecommunications Information and Administration will add Nokia to its list of Buy America-compliant vendors.
Operators and infrastructure companies that wish to participate in the $42.5 billion BEAD program must demonstrate that the equipment they use are BABA-compliant. The NTIA’s self-certification process makes it possible for equipment manufacturers to easily show that their offerings meet such requirements.
“As a certified vendor, we can now provide BEAD applicants with a certification letter that’s become essential for applications and BABA reporting requirements,” commented Sandy Motley, president of fixed networks at Nokia.
Under the Build America Buy America Act, enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, all construction materials, including fiber optic cables and manufactured products used in infrastructure projects, must be made domestically.
