UPDATE U.S. Rep August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced H.R. 9340, the Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act, in the House of Representatives. It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Friday. The measure is companion legislation to S. 4049, the Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act originally introduced in the Senate by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), Inside Towers reported.
Both measures would fully fund the FCC’s program to reimburse small telecoms that remove, dispose of and replace untrusted network gear from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. The Rip & Replace program has a more than $3 billion shortfall.
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, applauded the introduction of Pfluger’s bill. “This is a critical proposal to fully fund the Rip and Replace Program, removing Chinese components from our nation’s wireless communications systems. It is imperative to take this step to ensure the security of our broadband infrastructure,” said NATE President/CEO Todd Schlekeway.
“This important legislation would mitigate the real threat to our national security posed by insecure networks and devices,” Schlekeway explained. “Congress must move forward to fully leverage the Rip and Replace program to protect internet users.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
Reader Interactions