As the global demand for connectivity continues to grow exponentially, moves are being made to put American companies in the best possible position to serve that demand. The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program are two important elements of this long-term vision for bringing manufacturing back to the United States.
At FastPhotonics, we are committed to playing a central role in that transformation by producing optical transceivers and devices that comply with BABA standards and advance the goals of the BEAD program.
Build America, Buy America Requirements for Manufacturers of Optical Transceivers and Subassemblies
The Build America, Buy America Act aims to support American manufacturing and workers by ensuring that federal infrastructure projects use materials and products made in the United States.
For photonics components and transceivers, the most relevant parts of the law are the requirements for manufactured products and their components. Specifically, photonics components and transceivers fall under the category of manufactured products used in infrastructure projects.
Manufactured in the United States: The photonics components and transceivers must be manufactured within the United States. This means that the significant manufacturing processes that transform raw materials or components into the final product must take place in the U.S.
Domestic Content Requirement: For these manufactured products, it’s essential that the cost of the components that are mined, produced, or manufactured in the U.S. is greater than 55% of the total cost of all components of the manufactured product. This requirement ensures a significant portion of the value of the product comes from domestic production.
All products manufactured at our new facilities in Dallas will comply with these requirements, meeting the need for more American-made optical modules.
The BEAD Program: A Catalyst for Broadband Expansion
Like the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is intended to strengthen the U.S. economy and infrastructure. Specifically, the BEAD program aims to expand high-speed internet access across the country, using funding that supports American-made products and domestic job creation.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has demonstrated its commitment to these goals by issuing a waiver to ensure that around 90% of the $42.5 billion BEAD funds are used to procure American-made equipment.
FastPhotonics Products: Charting a New Path for American Telecommunications and Data Centers
High-speed optical technology will play a key role in advancing the vision of both the BABA and the BEAD program. The ambitious goals that these initiatives outline are driving increasing demand for high quality components that can be quickly dispatched and assembled within the continental United States.
At FastPhotonics, we are proud to be the first photonics manufacturer to offer full compliance with these initiatives, providing high quality components built in America, by American talent. Contact us for a full product catalog and an introduction to our team.
