FCC’s Rosenworcel identifies funding shortfall for Huawei rip-and-replace program; industry urges Congress to act

The FCC will need approximately $3 billion to fund reimbursement requests under the rip-and-replace program designed to rid mostly rural telecom systems of equipment made by Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE and others that has been determined by the U.S. government to raise unacceptable national security risks.

“To fund all reasonable and supported cost estimates within the first prioritization group and cover administrative expenses, the Reimbursement Program will require $4.70 billion, reflecting a current shortfall of $2.80 billion,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica...