STL confirmed that their fiber optic cable products manufactured in the US are compliant with the 'Build America, Buy America' (BABA) provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Along with this announcement, STL also unveiled its Rapid series of products, which will add to its "In America, For America" portfolio of fiber optic cables. Rapid series of optical fiber cables range from high-capacity ribbonized cables to ruggedized designs for different applications like duct, direct buried, aerial and last-mile connectivity.
STL is showing its dedication to helping rural America and local businesses by investing $56 million in local manufacturing. This investment is aimed at meeting the demand for broadband projects, both government-funded and private, including those in the BEAD Program. Their North American headquarters in South Carolina, known as the "Palmetto Plant," opened in September 2023 and has since created 125 full-time jobs.
Paul Atkinson, CEO - Optical Networking, STL, said, "With multiple BEAD projects on the horizon, the next five years will be landmark years for broadband and rural connectivity in the US, and we are very excited to support this program. Driven by our purpose of 'Transforming Billions of Lives by Connecting the World', our teams here are engaging with service providers to enable fast and seamless fiber rollouts in every corner of the United States. STL remains committed to continuous product innovation and providing superior quality, craft-friendly optical products for faster network roll-out that meet or exceed industry standards."
