FCC approves more 'rip-and-replace' extensions due to supply chain

The Federal Communications Commission approved additional requests from five service providers for extensions to complete the process of ripping and replacing network gear from Huawei and ZTE. The companies in question largely cited supply chain issues as their reason for the request, as well as the program's funding shortfall. "Rip-and-replace"—shorthand for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, created by the 2019 Secure and Trusted Networks Act—provided $1.9 billion for network operators to remove and replace equipment from Chinese companies deemed insecure by the US government. The program has since received $5.6 billion in funding requests, resulting in calls for Congress to pass additional appropriations for the program. That request—like calls for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding—remains unfulfilled, despite bipartisan support.