FCC identifies challenges in getting Huawei rip-and-replace program fully functional

The Federal Communications Commission is facing challenges in completing its rip-and-replace program to remove untrustworthy equipment from Huawei and ZTE that the government has deemed a national security risk, according to a Tuesday report to Congress.

Congress appropriated $1.9 billion in 2020 to fund the program, but it was later expanded by Congress and the FCC was unable to provide full reimbursement to recipients approved to participate.

The report says, “In their status updates, Reimbursement Program recipients were...