AFL, Corning, Lightera, and Prysmian pledge BABA-compliant supply for the life of the BEAD program
By Marc Bolick, Patrick Jacobi, Randy Morin, and Mike O’Day
Published: March 16, 2026
The United States stands at a defining moment for its digital future, and U.S. manufacturers are playing a critical role.
As historic investments in broadband move from planning to deployment, questions about domestic manufacturing readiness have taken on new urgency. At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is driving unprecedented demand for fiber across data centers and the networks that connect them.
Against this backdrop, each of us wants to be clear – and unequivocal – about one thing:
The U.S. fiber and cable manufacturing industry has the capacity to support the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, fully meeting Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, for its entire duration.
For each of our four companies, that’s not just an aspiration. It is a commitment.
In February, the four of us – AFL, Corning Incorporated, Lightera, and Prysmian– formally communicated each company’s commitment to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Individually, each company committed to:
- Ensuring sufficient availability of BABA‑compliant optical fiber and cable to meet BEAD program requirements throughout the program’s implementation.
- Prioritizing BEAD‑funded projects by working directly with award recipients to align delivery lead times with deployment schedules.
These commitments reflect long-term investments already made by each company – not future promises contingent on policy changes or waivers.
Each of our companies manufactures optical fiber, optical cable – or both – in the U.S. Over many years, each of us has invested millions of dollars in domestic facilities, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and American jobs. Those investments were made precisely to meet moments like this one.
The Data Is Clear: We Have the Capacity
At its core, BEAD is about opportunity – ensuring more American families and businesses can access reliable, high‑speed broadband and fully participate in today’s digital economy. Delivering on that promise requires infrastructure that is not only scalable, but dependable and built here in the U.S. – hence the Build America, Buy America requirement.
Much of the public discussion around BEAD has centered on concerns about whether domestic manufacturing can keep pace, especially as AI-driven demand accelerates.
The numbers tell a clear story.
Today, U.S. fiber and cable manufacturers collectively produce approximately 135 million fiber‑kilometers annually. Even at peak deployment, BEAD-related demand is estimated to represent less than 5% of total domestic capacity.
That level of demand is well within the capabilities of established U.S. manufacturers. It means the nation can rely on domestic supply to support BEAD deployments, without slowing other critical areas of network investment.
In short, there is enough fiber to support both broadband expansion and the growth of AI.
Just look at the pace of deployments last year: The industry passed a record number of U.S. homes with fiber, nearly 12 million. That momentum matters, because it shows the industry ecosystem is not standing still. It is investing and scaling.
Connecting America through American Jobs
As manufacturers, each of us takes the responsibility that comes with public investment seriously. U.S. taxpayer dollars flowing through BEAD should support U.S. workers, U.S. manufacturing, and the timely connection of unserved and underserved households.
That is the shared objective behind each company’s individual commitment.
Broadband expansion and AI are not competing priorities. They are part of the same digital ecosystem – and fiber is foundational to both.
The commitments each of us have made to NTIA are grounded in facts, investments, and experience. They reflect confidence not just in our individual companies, but in the strength and resilience of U.S. manufacturing.
As BEAD moves forward, each of us stands ready to deliver – reliably and domestically – so that this historic investment achieves its full promise for communities across the country.
