Bridging the Digital Divide: Cisco’s Commitment to the BEAD Program

In today’s digital age, access to reliable broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity for economic opportunity, educational advancement, and overall quality of life. However, millions of Americans in unserved and underserved communities continue to face barriers to connectivity, underscoring the importance of the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand high-speed internet access.

Cisco is committed to ensuring that our customers are aligned with BEAD’s objectives and are equipped to meet the Program’s compliance requirements. Requirements under the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act have been a particular focus for manufacturers and service providers. Helpfully, on July 30 the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced a process for how manufacturers can voluntarily demonstrate alignment with the Department of Commerce’s BABA waiver requiring certain equipment be produced in the U.S., while waiving the domestic manufacturing requirement for other equipment.

NTIA posted a Self-Certification list (linked under “Approved Waivers”) of companies that have proactively self-certified that their broadband equipment is made in the U.S. and meets the domestic manufacturing requirements in the BABA waiver for the BEAD Program. Cisco announced on Oct 28, 2024, that we met the requirements of BABA for companies that must self-certify domestic production for the BEAD Program. Cisco certifies the products listed meet the domestic manufacturing criteria outlined in the BABA waiver requirements for the BEAD Program. Cisco also offers products that are exempt from domestic manufacturing mandates specified in the BABA waiver issued by the Department of Commerce.

Cisco is addressing the digital divide so that all communities have access to critical digital resources and opportunities, from education to career opportunities and from telehealth to closer connections with family and friends. With our Converged SDN Transport architecture for simplified network management and improved efficiencies, Cisco is enabling providers to change the economics of the network with innovative solutions like Routed PON and Routed Optical Networking. Cisco’s purpose is to power an inclusive future for all.

Get more information on Cisco’s BABA certification for BEAD compliance here or contact our Broadband Office.

Learn more about Cisco’s broadband solutions.

Share: