Commissioner Rosenworcel Remarks at 5G Security Rural Engagement Initiative

On Nov 22 the Federal Communications Commission will vote to adopt a rule ensuring that our universal service funds—which provide billions annually to support broadband deployment in rural communities—are not used to purchase insecure network equipment. We also will kick off a rulemaking to identify where this equipment is in networks today and how to help carriers serving rural America replace it. I think with a few changes we can better protect the integrity of our networks and offer more certainty and predictability for carriers.

I’ve asked that we explore the authority we have to expand our efforts to carriers beyond those using universal service funds. Then we need to take the lessons we learned about replacing and reimbursing equipment in the wake of the 600 MHz broadcast incentive auction and apply them to the effort to replace equipment that may be insecure. I’ve asked that we include examples that would give companies the realworld guidance they need to comply with our rules and avoid unnecessary service disruption. I’ve sought to accelerate the agency’s review of the issues posed in the rulemaking regarding a reimbursement program to cover the costs of replacing insecure equipment.

The FCC’s upcoming vote is a first step, but we have many more steps to take for our networks to be secure in the future. So I want to head beyond our near-term efforts regarding equipment and removal and talk about how in the long-term we can make our networks and our digital world more secure:

1. If we want to lead in 5G, we have to secure the 5G supply chain—and think big about the future when we do. 
2. We need to transform the Internet of Things into the Internet of Secure Things. 
3. We need a smarter spectrum policy that supports both security and service in rural communities.