FCC Queries 'Rip and Replace' Law Effect on Huawei, ZTE Threat Designations

The Public Safety Bureau seeks comment through March 27 in docket 19-351 on how the recently enacted Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (HR-4998) will affect FCC proceedings under new supply chain rules designating Chinese telecom equipment makers Huawei and ZTE as posing a national security threat. The companies dispute the initial designation (see 2003040030). HR-4998, which President Donald Trump signed last week (see 2003120061), allocates $1 billion to help small U.S. communications providers remove from their networks Chinese equipment determined to threaten national security. It bars federal funds buying communications equipment or services from any company that's a national security risk to U.S. telecom networks. The FCC wants feedback on “whether and how [HR-4998] should inform our consideration of the designations of Huawei and ZTE.”