Networking equipment giant Nokia is partnering with Fabrinet to produce multi-rate fiber broadband optical modules for use in the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Production of these modules is slated to begin in 2024, bringing new high-tech jobs to the U.S. The collaboration builds on Nokia’s previous deal with Sanmina to manufacture broadband products at its facility in Wisconsin for the BEAD program.
Optical modules are used in fiber broadband networks to convert electrical signals into light and vice versa. The technology is essential to connect homes to high-speed, multi-gigabit broadband, Nokia said. The modules will be manufactured in the U.S., which is an important component of the BEAD requirement to gain access to the $42.45 billion in funding for broadband rollouts to unserved and underserved communities.
BEAD is designed to bridge the digital divide to allow these areas to have the leading-edge broadband technology. The multi-rate optical modules and other networking BEAD products allow operators to upgrade from 1 gigabit speeds to multi-gigabit speeds, Nokia said.
