The House Communications Subcommittee unanimously voted Wednesday to pass to the full Commerce Committee bills to fully fund the FCC’s Rip and Replace reimbursement program and direct $10 billion from FCC spectrum auction proceeds to upgrade 911 call centers.
Congress authorized $1.9 billion for Rip & Replace. But the FCC has said it’s received $5.3 billion in reimbursement requests and expects that number to drop once the agency completes its application review, which is expected shortly.
Bob Latta (R-OH) said a bipartisan amendment to the Spectrum Innovation Act, “upholds our commitment to providing resources for small carriers to remove Huawei and other untrusted equipment from our communications networks. Broadband providers across Ohio have taken steps” to remove the gear from their networks, he explained.
After the amended bill was passed on to the full committee, CCA President Steve Berry applauded lawmakers, “for adding sections to help fund the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act Reimbursement Program. This significant legislation could now fully fund the program, which is critical for affected carriers.”
NextGen 911
Richard Hudson (R-NC), along with Anna Eshoo (D-CA), co-chairs the NextGen 911 Caucus. He said: “Dedicated 911 professionals who receive these calls provide life-saving support to law enforcement and medical personnel. 911 is a national priority” yet, “much of our country’s call centers are using 50-year-old technology.” Hudson said the caucus recognizes the importance of 911 and called it “an integral part of homeland security.”
Hudson said the money would go towards technical upgrades to ensure call centers can receive texts, photos and video from individuals at accident scenes. It would also fund education for call centers, and public safety and medical personnel on how to use NextGen 911 capabilities.
“It means if someone breaks into your home and you’re hiding, you don’t need to call, you can text 911 and continue to hide,” said Eshoo. “It means using 21st Century technology to respond to 21st Century emergencies.” She called the $10 billion in the bill “a lot” but added that estimates say $15 billion is needed to upgrade all 911 call centers.
Full House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) called the $10 billion figure “a great step forward.” He also said he’s going to push for additional funding.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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