FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Provides an Update on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act

On June 15, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA) a letter providing an update on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. "Congress charged the Federal Communications Commission with developing a Reimbursement Program to assist with the removal, replacement, and disposal of equipment that could pose a risk to the security of our nation’s communications networks," said Rosenworcel. "In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Congress appropriated $1.9 billion for the Commission to complete this task." The chairwoman stated that the demand for the Act's Reimbursement Program was $5.3 billion. Furthermore, the FCC found 122 of the 181 program applications sent to the agency to be deficient. These applicants have 15 days to make amendments, and the FCC will review amended applicants and complete this process by July 15, 2022. The agency will also give Congress an updated estimate of program demand at this time.