Who’s Ahead in “Rip & Replace” Money So Far?

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

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. Continue Reading