An American-Made Internet for All

When we released the proposed Build America, Buy America (BABA) waiver in August 2023, we estimated that our approach would mean close to 90% of BEAD funds spent on equipment would be spent on equipment manufactured in the U.S. Under the waiver released today, that estimate holds steady. The majority of fiber broadband equipment—including optical fiber, fiber optic cable, key electronics, and enclosures—necessary to bring affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America will be made here in the United States. The waiver we’re releasing Feb 23 takes into account comments received during the 30-day public comment period for the proposed draft waiver and provides specificity and certainty on how the Buy America preference applies to optical fiber, fiber optic cable, electronics, enclosures, and other products that will be used to build broadband networks. We’re also releasing this waiver following over a year of careful research and deliberate engagement with stakeholders across the country. We held more than 385 meetings with over 50 firms and 250 individuals—representing a diverse range of manufacturers, Internet service providers, trade associations, and unions among others—who are potentially impacted by the BABA waiver. We’re doing this because the stakes are high. These policies are a bet on the American worker—a bet that President Biden often says he’d make any time. And they give this Administration confidence that its approach to domestic job creation is the right one.