Syracuse, New York-based JMA Wireless has announced it has been awarded $44 million in federal funding to enhance its state-of-the-art 5G manufacturing facility. The investment is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Wireless Innovation Fund, aimed at strengthening U.S. wireless infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.
Advancing 5G Technology and American Manufacturing
JMA’s 5G Innovation Campus and Global Headquarters is the only major American-owned 5G manufacturing facility. The funding will allow JMA to:
- Develop Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)-compliant radio units (RUs) to support major wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and Boost.
- Expand operations with an additional $30 million in private investment, bringing the total investment to over $75 million.
- Create up to 30 new high-tech manufacturing jobs, with potential for further expansion.
This investment supports long-term reliability for critical wireless technologies, reduces reliance on foreign-made equipment, and strengthens domestic supply chain resilience.
Enhancing 5G Network Capabilities
The funding will also enable JMA to further develop its ARMOR (American, Ruggedized, Modular, O-RAN, Radio) platform, which provides:
- Increased network capacity for wireless carriers.
- Reduced deployment time and costs for 5G infrastructure.
- Streamlined high-speed 5G coverage for underserved communities across Central New York and beyond.
JMA’s facility will produce more than 12,000 5G O-RAN radios per year, centralizing testing and advanced manufacturing processes at its Syracuse, New York-based campus.
Supporting Local and National Growth
The investment builds on JMA’s commitment to restoring U.S. leadership in wireless technology. Since 2017, the company has invested over $400 million in research, development, and manufacturing capabilities, including:
- Developing cutting-edge wireless broadband products.
- Partnering with key U.S. wireless carriers to bridge the digital divide.
JMA CEO John Mezzalingua emphasized the importance of secure, American-made 5G solutions, noting, “The future of global security and economic leadership hinges on our ability to control and protect the next generation of wireless technology. With this Wireless Innovation Fund grant, we’re bringing high-tech manufacturing jobs to upstate New York and accelerating the deployment of ORAN technology that will secure the U.S. position as a leader in wireless for years to come.”
Added Diane Rinaldo, Executive Director of the ORAN Alliance, “This Wireless Innovation Fund Grant is a critical step toward ensuring that the U.S. is at the forefront of global 5G innovation. By investing in companies like JMA, the US is creating a safer, more resilient supply chain while providing the tools our country and infrastructure need to remain competitive. JMA’s work, along with key partnerships from U.S. carriers, will drive forward the innovation that keeps America secure.”
JMA’s expanded operations reflect broader national initiatives, including the Build America, Buy America Act, which prioritizes domestic sourcing for federally funded infrastructure projects.
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Source/Photo Credit: JMA Wireless
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