News
Nokia has become the first vendor to self-certify Buy America fiber products for the BEAD program.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Earlier this month, Nokia announced they have become the first technology vendor to self-certify Build America, Buy America (BABA) fiber products manufactured in the United States for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
With the announcement, Nokia has released an extensive list of products now eligible for a Nokia Certification Letter upon purchase for BEAD applicants.
The list includes products like Nokia FX and MF OLT modular product lines, Nokia SF-8M sealed optical line terminals, and XS-220X-A optical network terminals.
Sandy Motley, president of Nokia’s business group focused on fixed networks, said the letter of certification has become essential for BEAD applications and reporting requirements.
Motley said Nokia’s recent accomplishment should provide confidence and assurance to applicants seek to place product orders and fear being out of compliance, according to the company’s August 8 announcement.
Back in 2021, as part of the Biden administration’s mammoth Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the government also introduced the ‘Build America, Buy America Act,’ requiring US companies using government subsidies primarily purchase equipment from domestic suppliers.’
In the years since, Nokia has positioned themselves to hit the ground running with BABA compliant products.
Last year, Nokia announced a partnership with Sanmina Corporation, for the manufacture of products at Sanmina’s Pleasant Prairie facility in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Sanmina is described as a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving segments of the global electronics manufacturing services market, a summary of the company’s activities stated.
At the time, comments from Vice President Kamala Harris were included with Nokia’s announcement.
“President Biden and I are delivering on our promise to strengthen our economy by investing in working people, expanding domestic manufacturing, empowering small business owners, and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure—today’s announcement is a direct result of this work,” Harris said last August. “Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation, and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.”
At the time, Nokia’s release announced that the manufacture of Nokia’s fiber-optic broadband electronics products in Wisconsin was expected to create 200 jobs.
More information for BEAD applicants seeking a Nokia Certification Letter is available on Nokia’s ‘Buy America’ website.
To get content like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
