en.Wedoany.com Reported - On April 15, 2026, Nokia announced its selection to provide end-to-end fiber broadband network infrastructure for SkyFiber Internet. This project is partially funded by the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and aims to deliver high-speed connectivity to underserved communities in northern Nevada. SkyFiber is the largest recipient of BEAD funding in Nevada. Its network deployment will cover thousands of households that have long lacked modern broadband infrastructure. Greenfield construction is expected to begin in mid-April, with the goal of providing reliable fiber internet access to local residents and businesses.
SkyFiber President Garry Gomes stated that this project will bring high-speed, reliable broadband to underserved communities in Nevada. By building from the ground up with scalable, top-tier infrastructure, the network will be future-proof and lay the foundation for the company's long-term growth in the region. VarData CEO Jeff Coke said that bringing connectivity to underserved areas requires the right partner, the right technology, and the right execution. The company is honored to partner with Nokia and SkyFiber, combining Nokia's proven solutions with a deep understanding of regional needs.
Nokia provides a fully integrated network stack solution, covering three key areas: IP routing, optical transport, and fiber access. For IP edge routing, Nokia's 7750 SR Broadband Network Gateway and 7250 IXR routers are utilized. The former supports high-capacity user session management and quality of service control, while the latter provides low-latency forwarding capabilities and multi-rate interface support. At the fiber access layer, Lightspan MF-2 Optical Line Terminals and ONT devices are deployed. This platform is built on Nokia's Quillion chipset, offering leading port density, throughput, and low-latency characteristics. For in-home connectivity, Beacon Wi-Fi devices are used. The intermediate transport layer employs the 1830 PSS DWDM platform, supporting wavelength transmission from 100G to 600G and flexible routing and scheduling. This single-vendor integrated model simplifies deployment and operational processes, ensuring consistent network performance.
VarData serves as the systems integrator and deployment partner, responsible for network integration, deployment advancement, and ongoing operational support. SkyFiber Internet was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. It has invested approximately $360,000 in this project. The company has received about $180 million in BEAD funding, making it the largest grantee in Nevada's BEAD program. In March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved SkyFiber's right-of-way on public lands in Humboldt County for constructing new fiber optic lines.
SkyFiber plans to build a scalable, future-proof fiber infrastructure to support long-term regional growth and position itself as a statewide broadband provider. Nokia's product portfolio complies with "Build America, Buy America" (BABA) requirements. On April 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce and federal agencies confirmed that the first products meeting BABA requirements had rolled off the Sanmina manufacturing line. The BEAD program has a total investment of approximately $42.5 billion. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are eligible for funding. Nevada received about $170 million in BEAD funding and $65 million in private investment. Project deployment is expected to begin in mid-2026, with approximately 63% of eligible locations slated to receive fiber connectivity.
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