Connectivity for All

Ciena’s commitment to BABA

At Ciena, innovation and collaboration are key pillars of our mission, driving our commitment to the expansive reach of broadband and the principles of open architecture. The growth and prosperity of America is inextricably linked to equitable access to superior broadband connectivity that has evolved from a convenience to an essential modern utility.

Our ethos of empowerment and inclusivity informs our strategic direction and resonates with foundational programs like the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act.  

Get an overview of these programs and learn how our operations and values reflect a deep commitment to ensuring our work advances the cause of connectivity while meeting the mandates of BABA.

The program recognizes that connectivity has transcended convenience to become a necessity, essential for participation in today’s economy, healthcare systems, and educational opportunities.

BABA complements the BEAD program’s goals by ensuring the infrastructure for such a critical initiative is grounded in the nation’s industrial and labor capabilities. It mandates that certain materials (manufactured products, construction materials, and iron and steel) and labor for federally funded infrastructure projects are sourced domestically so that the benefits of federal investments are felt throughout the entire supply chain.

BABA reflects an integrated approach to development, acknowledging that infrastructure investments can lead to broader societal benefits when paired with domestic sourcing and production. Essentially: 

• For a manufactured product to qualify, “more than 55% of the cost of components of a manufactured product to be manufactured in the United States, and the product itself, must be manufactured in the United States.” ¹
• Construction materials include the following: “non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products, glass (including optical glass), fiber optic cable, optical fiber, lumber, engineered wood, and drywall.” ¹
• In the case of iron or steel products, “all manufacturing processes, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, must occur in the United States.” ¹

The U.S. Department of Commerce has released the final version of the BABA waiver for recipients of BEAD funding that does the following:  

• Incentivizes the domestic production of specific manufactured products based on strategic prioritization criteria, including network and data security which will directly expand American job opportunities,    
• Promotes broad participation in the BEAD Program,
• Ensures that BEAD Program awardees will have access to the manufactured products necessary to fulfill their obligations under the program,
• Allows funding recipients to continue to provide economic opportunity through innovation and timely deployment of broadband infrastructure, which is recognized to expand job opportunities, and
• Supports the timely development of critical domestic infrastructure.

Our pledge to American growth and prosperity

Ciena is committed to initiatives like BEAD and compliance with BABA regulations. We adhere to the principles of these programs and embody them through our practices and policies. Here’s an overview of our commitment within BABA’s provisions:

Upholding BABA compliance in key electronics manufacturing

To remain compliant with BABA standards, Ciena ensures that the manufacturing processes for critical electronics components – Optic Pluggables, and Optical Network Terminals and Units – take place within the United States. This commitment is further reinforced by the presence of our U.S. headquarters, serving as a hub for our investment and operational focus in the nation. This includes:

• Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly (for ONTs)
• Chassis Assembly (for ONTs)
• Optical sub-assembly installation (for pluggables)
• Enclosure assembly (for pluggables) 
• Software Integration (including firmware, licensed software, and customer-specific configurations)  
• Testing and Quality Assurance
• Packaging and Shipping 

The way to inclusive broadband

Here’s how our commitment to open, affordable, and accessible broadband aligns with America’s broadband mission: 

Open architecture

Diverse solutions

We provide an array of options within our open architecture framework so communities have the freedom to select solutions that best fit their needs. Our open architecture promises endless scalability and adaptability. IT teams can tailor these solutions to their unique use cases, ensuring their community's needs are met today and can seamlessly scale for tomorrow’s demands.

Inclusive innovation

By heavily reinvesting our revenue into R&D, we ensure that tomorrow's technologies are not just cutting-edge but also widely accessible. This relentless pursuit of innovation fuels our mission to enable municipalities, cooperatives, rural service providers, and all members of the broadband ecosystem to continually innovate and deliver superior services.

Collaborative ecosystems

We facilitate collaboration, building ecosystems with a diverse range of suppliers and partners, each contributing to a more resilient broadband infrastructure.

Investment in American communities

Comprehensive resources

Under the BABA umbrella, our commitment is twofold: leveraging American-made technology and providing a suite of resources —  marketing, strategic planning, and operational tools — to empower communities to operate efficiently and serve their constituents effectively. We ensure compliance with the BABA requirement of “more than 55%” domestic component manufacturing.

The fourth utility

Broadband is the new essential utility, often called the "fourth utility," and we are devoted to helping communities realize this utility with the full support and expertise that Ciena offers.

Company facts

Ciena’s commitment to innovation and excellence