CCA Issues Warning as Rip-and-Replace Deadline Passes

Monday was the deadline for carriers to submit a request to the FCC under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to remove unsecure equipment from their networks. Congress has been examining the issue but so far failed to provide additional money to fund removal of unsecure gear (see 2307130069). The Competitive Carriers Association said the deadline speaks to looming problems for smaller carriers. “Because Congress has not yet fully funded the Program, carriers are forced to undertake the endeavor of removing untrusted equipment with 40% of otherwise approved cost estimates to completely remove, replace, and destroy this untrusted equipment,” CCA CEO Tim Donovan said. “Absent full funding, networks in many rural and sensitive parts of our country are at ever-increasing risk of breaking down and going dark,” Donovan said: “Because of the funding shortfall, impacted carriers must make decisions to ‘rip’ but not ‘replace,’ including in areas where no other carrier provides service. This dire situation ignores our country’s national security and the connectivity of millions of Americans.” Congress’ inaction “has created a scenario that not only risks connectivity across rural America but undermines the nation’s faith in the security of our … networks,” a Telecommunications Industry Association spokesperson emailed. The group called for action. “TIA appreciates Congress’ work on increasing U.S. competitiveness with China and examining the risks posed by Huawei and ZTE equipment, however every day there are U.S. networks operating that contain equipment Congress has determined unsafe, poses a risk to our national security,” the spokesperson said. “It is essential that Congress move swiftly to address the shortfall,” said Jill Canfield, NTCA general counsel. “It is a national priority to remove unsecure equipment from the networks, but without the funding to replace noncompliant equipment, consumers living and working in rural America are at risk of losing service,” Canfield said. “It’s a classical unfunded mandate,” said Recon Analytics’ Roger Entner, who warned some networks may “go dark.”