Why SBE Certification Matters for Telecommunications Companies
For small businesses meeting SBA size standards.
SBE is issued by state and local agencies, and what it qualifies you for varies by agency. For a telecommunications business, check which public buyers in your state recognize it before you apply.
Telecommunications offers some of the largest diverse supplier programs in the world. Here's why certification matters:
Billion Dollar Roundtable Members: AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast NBCUniversal are all charter or long-standing members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, each spending over $1 billion annually with diverse suppliers. AT&T alone has spent over $230 billion with diverse suppliers since it began tracking this metric.
Regulatory Expectations: State public utility commissions, such as the CPUC in California, require telecommunications companies to report diversity procurement. Verizon reported over $5.7 billion in diverse supplier spending in 2024. T-Mobile exceeded $1.4 billion in diverse spend in California alone in 2023.
Infrastructure Investment: The telecom industry is investing heavily in 5G deployment, fiber-to-the-home expansion, and data center construction. These massive capital projects require contractors, material suppliers, equipment vendors, and professional services firms—creating opportunities for diverse suppliers at all tiers.
Broad Procurement Needs: Telecom companies buy everything from network construction and fiber installation to marketing, fleet management, facilities services, IT consulting, and customer equipment. Diverse suppliers across many industries can sell into telecom.
BEAD Program: The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is distributing $42.45 billion to expand broadband access. This creates additional subcontracting opportunities for diverse suppliers in broadband construction and deployment.
Note: Several major carriers have been restructuring their diversity programs in 2025 in response to evolving legal and regulatory landscapes. However, the scale of telecom procurement with diverse suppliers remains substantial.
SBE Eligibility Requirements
Must meet SBA size standards for your industry (based on employees or revenue).
To qualify as a small business:
Size Standards:
- Must meet SBA size standards for your primary NAICS code
- Size standards vary by industry
- Based on annual revenue or number of employees depending on industry
- Example: Most professional services = $16.5M - $41.5M annual revenue
- Example: Most manufacturing = 500-1500 employees
Ownership:
- No specific ownership requirements for basic SB status
- Just need to meet size standards
Location:
- Must be a U.S. business
How to Apply for SBE as a Telecommunications Business
Step 1: Get Your UEI SAM.gov will assign you a Unique Entity ID when you register.
Step 2: Register in SAM.gov Complete your SAM.gov registration (required for all federal contracting).
Step 3: Self-Certify Size In SAM.gov, self-certify your small business status under your NAICS codes.
Step 4: Maintain Registration SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.
No Application Fee SAM.gov registration is completely free.
Need help getting SBE certified?
CertifyAll prepares your application with you: we check the basic requirements, build your document list and draft the answers, then walk you through filing from your own account. You sign and submit. SBA certifications are free to file, and APEX Accelerators help for free.
Ask about CertifyAllNot sure which certifications to look at?
The 2-minute quiz lists the certifications worth checking for your telecommunications business. Only the certifying agency decides eligibility.
Take the certification quizGovernment Telecommunications Opportunities
Federal Opportunities
Key agencies purchasing telecom products and services:
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulatory technology, broadband programs
- Department of Defense (DoD): Military communications, satellite systems, cybersecurity
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Emergency communications, network security
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): Broadband deployment programs including BEAD
Key Programs and Contracts
- Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) - GSA's $50B government-wide telecom contract
- BEAD Program - $42.45B for broadband expansion with subcontracting opportunities
- FirstNet (AT&T) - National public safety broadband network
- GSA MAS for IT and telecommunications equipment and services
Categories of Government Telecom Procurement
- Network infrastructure design and installation
- Managed network services
- Unified communications (UCaaS)
- Cybersecurity for telecom infrastructure
- Fiber optic cable installation
- Wireless tower construction and maintenance
- Satellite communications
- Video conferencing and collaboration tools
State and Local
State broadband offices administering BEAD funds, municipal broadband projects, school district connectivity (E-Rate program), and public safety communications all create telecom contracting opportunities.