TIA: Targeted Buy America Waiver a Necessary Step to Meet Broadband Goals

Arlington, VA (April 21, 2022) – The Telecommunications Industry Association—the trusted industry association for the connected world—released a statement in support of the Biden Administration’s final waiver of Buy America requirements for NTIA’s Middle Mile Broadband program.

 

TIA issued the following statement from CEO David Stehlin:

“TIA appreciates the work the Department of Commerce undertook to develop a limited, short-term waiver of Buy America requirements for the Middle Mile Broadband program.  In so doing, the Commerce Department is making it possible to connect unserved communities to the internet while maintaining incentives to invest in American manufacturing in the long term.”

“This limited waiver was necessary because, largely due to a lack of U.S.-made semiconductors, there is currently no combination of end-to-end network elements that can meet Buy America requirements and connect a user to the internet. Developing a domestic information and communications technology supply chain will require sustained investment, and policies aimed at supporting broadband infrastructure and should include valuing the software and firmware that drives the hardware.”

“On behalf of our members, TIA looks forward to working with the administration to ensure that Middle Mile and other broadband initiatives like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program are successful in meeting the goal to connect every American to reliable, high-speed internet.”

Contact

Dan Brown, dbrown@tiaonline.org

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents more than 400 global companies that enable high-speed communications networks and accelerate next-generation ICT innovation. Through leadership in U.S. and international advocacy, technology programs, standards development, and business performance solutions, TIA and its members are accelerating global connectivity across every industry and market. TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).