U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces Onshoring of Broadband Electronics Equipment

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces Onshoring of Broadband Electronics Equipment
KCPullen@doc.gov
Thu, 08/03/2023 – 16:24

Infrastructure
Investing in communities and workers
Manufacturing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Office of Public Affairs

publicaffairs@doc.gov

Today, Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Kenosha, WI, to celebrate the announcement of new electronics equipment production in the U.S. made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Investing in America” agenda.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the use of Made-in-America materials and products for federally funded infrastructure projects, including high-speed Internet service deployment under the Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. As a result, Nokia is partnering with Sanmina Corporation at their Kenosha facility to manufacture key electronics equipment used in high-speed Internet networks, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the U.S. 

“President Biden and I are delivering on our promise to strengthen our economy by investing in working people, expanding domestic manufacturing, empowering small business owners, and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure—today’s announcement is a direct result of this work,” said U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. “Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation, and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.”

“President Biden promised to bring high-speed internet to every corner of America, and to do it with American workers and American-made equipment. This announcement is proof that he’s delivering on that promise,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “When we invest in American manufacturing and American jobs, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Thanks to the President’s leadership, we’re going to connect everyone in America and create a strong and equitable economy that’s built for the future.”

“In Wisconsin, we make things. We have a long and proud manufacturing history, and I am thrilled that with today’s news, that legacy will continue into the future. As we rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, Wisconsin has the world-class research institutions, a robust Made in Wisconsin manufacturing economy, and the skilled workforce to get the job done,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fight for strong Made in America requirements so that as we’re investing taxpayer dollars in our roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and broadband, we are also supporting Wisconsin businesses, Wisconsin workers, and the Wisconsin economy.”

Today’s announcement will result in the onshoring of network electronics equipment as states across the country prepare to receive billions of dollars in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, administered by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Nokia will move the manufacturing of multiple fiber broadband electronics products to the United States, including Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), OLT line cards, and Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). According to Nokia, they expect to deliver these products by mid-2024, with production scaling with demand.

NTIA will release a draft of its Build America, Buy America requirements for the BEAD program later this summer.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands. Visit GetInternet.Gov to sign-up.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and his vision for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up – Bidenomics – is creating opportunity across the country. Already, as a result of legislation passed by President Biden, the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $260 billion in funding for 35,000 infrastructure projects across the country. Companies have announced over $500 billion in investments in the United States since President Biden took office, and the Administration has helped over 19 million households save money on their internet costs.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.

Bureaus and Offices

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Tags

Broadband

Read the full report from the U.S. Department of Commerce: Read More