FCC releases data underscoring need to significantly increase designated funds for rip-and-replace program

New data from the Federal Communications Commission detailing reimbursement requests from telecoms looking to replace Huawei and ZTE equipment shows the agency will need almost $2 billion to implement the program, substantially more money than Congress has indicated it intends to provide.

Congress authorized $1 billion for a rip-and-replace program through the Secure and Trusted Network Communications Act in March. The Rural Wireless Association has asked the FCC to double its funding request to Congress to $2 million.

The...