NTIA Finalizes BEAD Buy America Waiver, Keeping Fiber Cable USA-Made

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published its final Build America, Buy America waiver for the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program on February 23, 2024. It keeps most fiber network equipment under USA-made rules.

What the waiver does

• No waiver for optical fiber or fiber optic cable.
• Limited waivers for non-optic glass inputs on fiber, overclad cylinders, construction materials and enclosures such as pedestals and terminals.
• Most electronics with semiconductors are waived, since NTIA found USA supply short.
• Four electronics categories must still qualify, with at least 55 percent USA content: optical line terminals, OLT line cards, optic pluggables, and optical network terminals and units.

NTIA kept its August 2023 estimate that close to 90 percent of BEAD equipment spending will go to products made in the USA. The final text followed public comments and 385 meetings with more than 50 firms. NTIA pointed to factories in Tennessee and North Carolina whose workers were retrained to make fiber optic cable.

“These are American tax dollars–and we strongly believe they should be spent on equipment made by American workers in American communities.”

Will Arbuckle, Senior Policy Adviser, NTIA

FAQ

What is BEAD?

A $42.45 billion federal program to expand high-speed internet access.

Is fiber cable waived?

No. Optical fiber and fiber optic cable must meet Buy America rules.

How much spend will go to USA products?

NTIA estimates close to 90 percent of BEAD equipment spending.