‘Rip and Replace’ Shortfall Could Be Dire for Rural Broadband

Ready or not, the Federal Communications Commission’s program to “rip and replace” suspect network technology is coming. And one trade association representing smaller carriers says there isn’t enough funding to do the job, and that means there could be ripping without replacing that puts some areas of the U.S. in danger of going dark. July 17 is the date by which carriers participating in the congressionally mandated Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program must submit their reimbursement requests — and they then have a year to finish the job — the Competitive Carriers Association pointed out July 17. That job is to remove suspect network technology the U.S. government has deemed a potential threat to national security and replace it with tech that passes muster. The problem is the demand has far outstripped the funding Congress set aside for reimbursement, so the FCC will only be able to pay 40 cents on the dollar until and unless Congress approves more funding.