Rosenworcel Explains the “Why” Behind the “Rip & Replace” Funding Gap

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

On June 15, the FCC must be able to verify the suspected $3.7 billion gap in Rip & Replace reimbursement funding. Senators Roger Wicker, (R-MS) Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee, and committee member Gary Peters (D-MI), asked Rosenworcel for an initial analysis of why the reimbursement requests exceeded the $1.9 billion Congress appropriated to reimburse small carriers for removing and replacing suspect gear from Huawei and ZTE from their networks. They also asked when the agency will determine the final amount eligible for reimbursement, and what will happen if demands outstrip available support. Continue Reading