Congress boosts funding for drive to replace Chinese equipment

News

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved additional funding for a federal initiative to replace Chinese-made communications equipment

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

A budgetary shortfall for the federal government’s “rip and replace” initiative, aimed at replacing Chinese communications equipment, is one step closer to being wiped out.

The drive to replace Chinese telecom equipment in the United States was first authorized by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act in 2020. According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program had faced a shortfall of more than $3 billion.

Those concerns seem to have been addressed by H.R. 5009, formally the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA).

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), who led the program, said “FY2025 NDAA fully funds the Rip and Replace shortfall to root out Chinese spyware and maintain connectivity of rural telecommunication networks across the country.

Additionally, with H.R. 5009’s passage in the House, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), who serves as chair of the House Armed Services Committee, called on the Senate “to quickly pass this important piece of legislation.”

‘The most dangerous threat facing our nation’

Comments in a release on the committee’s website explained the importance of the funding, in Rogers’ own words.

“China is the most dangerous threat facing our nation – the FY25 NDAA is laser-focused on deterring China and protecting our nation,” his statement read. “The FY25 NDAA boosts funding for U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific; supports the continued modernization of our nuclear deterrent; revitalizes our defense industrial base; and expedites the fielding of innovative technologies.”

According to Rosenworcel’s November letter, the Reimbursement Program for equipment will require almost $5 billion in total.

The program aims to “complete the permanent removal, replacement, and disposal of Huawei and ZTE communications equipment and services in their networks,” Rosenworcel wrote.

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