BEAD Program

BEAD Broadband Program

Bridging the digital divide—your BEAD resource center

Make reliable connectivity more accessible through Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding with Cisco networking solutions and expertise.

What is BEAD?

To help Americans in underserved communities gain access to high-speed internet, the U.S. Government created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Administrated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the program expands access through a $42 billion federal grant in funding, prioritizing high-speed internet infrastructure build-out, deployment, and adoption for the underserved.

Getting started with BEAD

To apply for the BEAD Program, you must provide a Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance letter from your manufacturers.

Cisco announced on October 28, 2024, that we met the BABA requirements for companies that must self-certify domestic production for certain products. We also offer products exempt from domestic manufacturing mandates.

Learn more about our BABA certification here. To obtain a compliance letter, please contact us.

Our commitment to bridging the digital divide

Cisco's purpose is to power an inclusive future for all. We are committed to ensuring that our customers are aligned with BEAD objectives and equipped to meet the program's compliance requirements. We look forward to working with you so that all communities can access critical digital resources and opportunities that span, education, career, and telehealth, as well as maintaining closer connections with family and friends.

Planning for success with BEAD

BEAD resources

United States BEAD status

The BEAD Program extends to all 50 states; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Guam; American Samoa; and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

BABA compliance

Cisco BABA-compliant products

Cisco provides a vast array of BABA-compliant broadband solutions to help service providers build their networks in alignment with the BEAD Program.

Cisco broadband solutions

Bridge the digital divide

Deploy a converged network with independence across access network technologies and more efficient utilization of network resources.

Grants Intelligence insight

US Government Broadband Funding report

Get an updated look at the US Government funding infrastructure, stimulus, and more in this Grants Intelligence report from the Grants Office.

Cisco's BEAD-ready end-to-end solutions

Leverage Cisco's Agile Services Networking architecture and an array of BEAD- and BABA-compliant networking solutions to build out your network evolution. Explore each solution below.

Transform the economics of your network

Simplify network management, improve efficiency, and boost digital experiences with converged architecture and Agile Services Networking.

Cisco 8000 series routers

Cisco 8000 Series Routers

Deliver the performance and scale to build the internet of the future with cloud-enhanced systems.

ASR 9903 router

Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers

Support the application performance required to power your services with scalable routing systems.

Image of the Cisco NCS-57D2-18DD Router

Cisco NCS 5700 Series Routers

Scale with high-density 400G routers for long-term growth and segment routing for SLA-based services.

Cisco NCS 500 Series Routers

Cisco Network Convergence System 500 Series Routers

Simplify your access network and converge services with secure and programmable routers.

Cisco Silicon One

Cisco Silicon One

Unified silicon architecture provides the highest bandwidth routing and switching for building networks.

Cisco Routed Optical Networking

Routed Optical Networking brings next-level simplification to the physical network infrastructure.

Cisco XGS-PON OLT SFP+ module

Cisco Routed PON

Unite your broadband, wireless, and business services on the same network backbone—with a flexible, disaggregated solution.

Cisco 400GBASE Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Double Density Module

Optics

Increase capacity, reach, and speed with optical transceivers for your network connections.

Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance

Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance

Enhance user experiences with instant service visibility and SLA reporting.

Screenshot of ThousandEyes dashboard

ThousandEyes

Assure digital experiences across every domain—even beyond your borders.

A performance dashboard from Crosswork Network Automation displayed on a monitor.

Cisco Crosswork Network Automation

Manage multivendor and multidomain networks efficiently with our scalable, AI-powered unified platform.

Experience Cisco broadband solutions in action

Experience Cisco broadband solutions in action

Schedule your virtual or physical visit to our Broadband Innovation Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Experience live solution demonstrations, technology showcases, and innovation labs.

Let us help

Get BEAD expert support

 Cisco is dedicated to supporting your BEAD Program needs. Contact our BEAD experts to get help in understanding funding requirements, to understand best practices, or to just get going.