FCC Targets October 29 to Start “Rip & Replace”

 By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief The FCC voted Tuesday on final measures required to launch its “Rip & Replace” program, meant to reimburse carriers for the removal, disposal and replacement of untrusted network gear from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. The U.S. believes that equipment poses a national security risk.

During the meeting, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the agency is targeting October 29 as the date to begin accepting applications from carriers. “That means carriers can start planning for applications and new networks,” she said. 

That’s sooner than the timing requested by manufacturers Ericsson and Nokia, though they, and lobbying organizations representing smaller carriers — such as the Competitive Carriers Association and the Rural Wireless Association — had urged the Commission to have the paperwork finalized as soon as possible, Inside Towers’ Intelligence reported. Continue Reading