Nokia says they are the first technology vendor to self-certify their products for BABA compliance for BEAD projects.
The company says a certificate is now available for their U.S.-made fiber products that ensure build America buy America compliance that subgrantees can submit with their applications. The certified products includes FX and MF OLT modular product line, SF-8M sealed OL, and XS-220X-A ONT.
"We are excited to announce yet another milestone in our BEAD journey," said Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia. "As a certified vendor, we can now provide BEAD applicants with a certification letter that’s become essential for applications and BABA reporting requirements. It also provides the confidence and assurance several need to submit product orders today without fear of being out of compliance."
BABA Compliance
Operators and infrastructure players seeking to participate in BEAD and the $42.45bn of available funding will need to ensure—under federal penalty—that certain fiber broadband equipment used in their network buildouts are manufactured in the U.S.
To help, the NTIA created a self-certification and compliance framework for manufacturers, allowing each to show its products meet these requirements. Manufacturers that complete the self-certification process are added to a list managed by the Department of Commerce.
Focused on reducing the number of fraudulent claims of BABA compliance, the list requires manufacturers to have an officer of the company certify—under fine or imprisonment—that its products are Buy America-compliant. Manufacturers must also be able to provide a BABA certification letter to subgrantees for audit purposes.
Applicants for BEAD can visit the Nokia Buy America website for information on how to obtain a Nokia Certification Letter which can be uploaded with a BEAD application to prove BABA compliance.