The FCC named most of the companies that have applied for “Rip & Replace” reimbursement funding. Inside Towers reported the total cost estimate comes to $5.6 billion, exceeding the $1.9 billion Congress allocated. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, notified lawmakers about the gap this week, pledging to work with members to ensure companies are fully reimbursed for the cost of building new cell sites and removing untrusted gear from existing sites.
The initial application window for the funding closed on January 28, and the FCC began reviewing the documentation on January 31. However, given the sheer number and complexity of the filings, the Commission is extending the review period another 45 days. That means the new deadline for the Wireline Competition Bureau to act on the applications is June 15.
Of the 181 applications filed, so far, 162 have been deemed eligible for reimbursement. The cost estimate is the total for the removal, replacement, and disposal of about 24,000 “units” of Huawei and ZTE telecom gear across some 8,400 locations.
Level 3 Communications had the most approved applications at 45, followed by NE Colorado Cellular with 22 and Union Telephone Company at 6. Point Broadband Fiber Holding had five applications approved, followed by 4 apiece for Commnet Wireless and Skybeam. Hotwire Communications and Pine Telephone Company both had 3 approved. NTUA Wireless had 2 applications approved and the rest were singletons.
The agency cautioned that the gross cost estimate does not mean that all costs are “reasonable” and approved. The bureau decides that, with the help of the reimbursement fund administrator, after a thorough review.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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