DZS Achieves U.S. BEAD Program “Build America Buy America” Manufacturing Readiness Certification

Rhea-AI Summary

DZS (OTC: DZSI), a leader in Networking, Connectivity, and Cloud Edge software solutions, has achieved the Build America Buy America (BABA) manufacturing readiness certification for the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This certification, announced by the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) on October 16, 2024, confirms DZS as one of five compliant U.S. telecom electronics equipment manufacturers.

DZS, along with manufacturing partner Fabrinet, is producing BEAD-ready fiber optic equipment in the U.S. Their portfolio includes Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), OLT line cards, optics pluggables, and standalone Optical Network Terminals (ONTs), all compliant with BABA requirements. DZS' solutions are ideal for rural and underserved areas, enhancing broadband access across America.

Positive

• DZS achieved BABA manufacturing readiness certification for the BEAD Program.
• DZS is one of five compliant U.S. telecom electronics equipment manufacturers.
• DZS and Fabrinet are producing BEAD-ready fiber optic equipment in the U.S.
• DZS offers a comprehensive portfolio of compliant OLTs, ONTs, and other fiber access solutions.

Negative

• None.

DZS among five NTIA certified compliant U.S. telecom electronics equipment manufacturers, offers a wide range of future-ready fiber access solutions

• DZS and manufacturing partner Fabrinet are building BEAD-ready fiber optic equipment in the U.S. today
• DZS has an extensive portfolio of fiber access, optical transport and cloud-software solutions that provide end-to-end support for BEAD deployments
• DZS has decades-long U.S. manufacturing history featuring proven, environmentally hardened solutions ideally suited for rural and unserved areas
  

DALLAS, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DZS (OTC: DZSI), a global leader of Networking, Connectivity and Cloud Edge software solutions enabling broadband everywhere, today announced that the company’s U.S. manufactured electronic components have been certified as compliant with the domestic manufacturing requirement enumerated in the “Build America Buy America” (BABA) waiver for the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. On October 16, 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) announced a list of specific equipment and suppliers self-certifying their compliance with the NTIA’s final limited waiver of BABA requirements of the BEAD Program which included certain manufactured products such as Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), OLT line cards, Optics pluggables and standalone Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). DZS today manufactures a wide range of OLTs and OLT line cards that are BABA certified, as well as a full portfolio of gateway ONTs with integrated WiFi and Layer 2 routing which makes them compliant with the BEAD wavier requirements.

“DZS, a Texas-based broadband Networking, Connectivity, and Cloud Edge software solutions company and our world-class manufacturing partner Fabrinet, are proud to be one of five electronic components manufacturers certified to meet all NTIA BABA manufacturing requirements for BEAD,” said Charlie Vogt, President and CEO, DZS. “Unique among our peers, we have a multi-decade commitment to manufacturing in the United States and specialize in environmentally hardened equipment ideal for rural deployments, including fiber access, fiber extension and fixed wireless access solutions. Above and beyond BEAD BABA requirements, we manufacture our leading-edge Saber optical transport solutions in the U.S. which are critical for the Middle Mile portion of BEAD projects. For operators planning to pursue BEAD government stimulus funds, DZS is fully compliant with NTIA’s guidelines today and we are ready to leverage our comprehensive portfolio of market-leading solutions to help these broadband pioneers achieve the shared mission of bringing high-speed internet to all Americans.”

DZS’ market-leading Networking Edge solutions (OLTs and Middle Mile transport), Connectivity Edge solutions (ONTs, gateways, fiber extension and fixed wireless access) and Cloud Edge software solutions (automation, orchestration and SDN management) are ideally suited for BEAD deployments, offering service providers end-to-end peace-of-mind and best-in-class performance. In addition, DZS offers unique solutions like its award-winning FiberWay and DZS Xtreme to make it easy for rural operators to quickly deploy and manage services remotely and in remote environments.

To learn more about DZS, visit https://www.dzsi.com.

About DZS

DZS Inc. (OTC: DZSI) is a global leader of Networking, Connectivity and Cloud Edge software solutions enabling broadband everywhere.

DZS, the DZS logo, and all DZS product names are trademarks of DZS Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management as of the date hereof. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings.  In addition, additional or unforeseen affects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic climate may give rise to or amplify many of these risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. DZS undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information see: www.DZSi.com.
DZS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dzs_innovation
DZS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DZSi/

Press Inquiries:
Kenny Vesey, Thatcher+Co.
Phone: +1 973.518.3644
Email: kvesey@thatcherandco.com 

FAQ

What certification did DZS achieve for the BEAD Program?

DZS achieved the Build America Buy America (BABA) manufacturing readiness certification for the BEAD Program.

When did the NTIA announce the list of BABA-compliant manufacturers?

The NTIA announced the list of BABA-compliant manufacturers on October 16, 2024.

What types of equipment does DZS manufacture that are BABA certified?

DZS manufactures BABA-certified Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), OLT line cards, optics pluggables, and standalone Optical Network Terminals (ONTs).

What makes DZS's solutions ideal for rural and underserved areas?

DZS's solutions are environmentally hardened and offer future-ready fiber access, optical transport, and cloud-software solutions, making them ideal for rural and underserved areas.