AFL’s position regarding BEAD/BABA:
AFL is an American-based company that has a long history of US-based manufacturing.
We recently announced an expansion to our South Carolina operations and are actively looking at additional opportunities to expand.
The NTIA (who administers BEAD) recognizes us as a US-based manufacturer of fiber cable and connectivity and has put us on their map (literally, their online map of US manufacturers).
What products are compliant?
Manufacturers like AFL will self-certify compliance. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.
The NTIA will have a list of compliant manufacturers by product category – probably not by part number.
AFL has a number of cable and connectivity products which are already compliant with the BEAD requirements and/or BABA in general – more detail below.
Keep up with our progress at
AFLglobal.com/ConnectingAmerica.
|
Product Category - Dept of Commerce & NTIA definitions - |
AFL Product Examples |
Summarized Requirement - per BABA with BEAD waiver - |
AFL Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
FIBER OPTIC CABLE >> LOOSE TUBE |
Cable, fiber, and preform manufacturing must all occur in the US |
✓ |
|
|
FIber optic cable >> RIBBON |
Cable, fiber, and preform manufacturing must all occur in the US |
In Progress (Q1 2025) |
|
|
Connectorized Cable Assemblies |
Trident® Drop Cables |
Cable and fiber must be made in US, but connectors can be made and attached elsewhere |
✓ |
|
PASSIVE OPTICAL COMPONENTS |
BABA requirements waived |
✓ |
|
|
Enclosures >> Vaults |
55% of component cost must come from US, and certain manufacturing steps must occur in the US |
✓ |
|
|
Enclosures >> Cabinets |
IDEAA® Exterior Distribution Cabinet |
In Progress (Q4 2024) |
|
|
Enclosures >> Closures & Terminals |
Apex® |
In Progress (Q4 2024) |
|
|
EQUIPMENT |
BABA does not apply |
✓ |
*AFL has confirmed that parts complying with the BABA/BEAD Waiver are marked with a check. We are actively working on the backend systems needed to consistently assign new and unique part numbers for these waiver-compliant parts.