CommScope and NCTC Collaborate for BEAD and BABA Guidance for Providers

CommScope announced they are collaborating with the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC) to provide BEAD application guidance for providers within NCTC’s membership, as well as network design resources and “enhanced purchasing options” for their products through a dedicated distribution partner.

NCTC is an organization made up around 700 independent broadband and pay-TV communications service providers focusing on small-to-midsized communities in the U.S., with members reaching about a third of the households.

Part of CommScope’s aim for the partnership is to ease access to CommScope’s BABA-compliant FTTH products. “This agreement streamlines the process of accessing our Build America, Buy America (BABA)-compliant portfolio of FTTH solutions for independent service providers,” said Michelle Hogan, general manager, Broadband Solutions, North America at CommScope. “We’re able to deliver at greater scale than ever before, which will help independent service providers fulfill their mission to ensure no one is left behind in our digital society.”

BEAD challenges

Some ISPs, and others, have raised concerns over some of complexities in the BEAD program, even though many providers have applied for grants.

On top of the established challenges, the BEAD program is in somewhat of an awkward state right now, with changes in leadership at the Commerce Department, the NTIA, the FCC, and the White House, with many new appointees having criticized certain parts of the BEAD program such as the fiber priority as well as climate change and union requirements.

BEAD is also subject to the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements that major parts of the infrastructure are sourced in the U.S. Many vendors have made efforts to make clear which of their products comply.

View a list of BABA-compliant BEAD vendors, including CommScope.