FCC Pegs Cost of Removing Huawei, ZTE Gear at $1.84 Billion
Data collected from carriers found it would cost an estimated $1.84 billion to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment in their networks. In June, the FCC barred the two Chinese vendors from participating in the USF. The agency also released a list of some 50 carriers that have the equipment installed in their networks.
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Companies that appear to initially qualify for reimbursement under last year's Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act “report it could require approximately $1.618 billion to remove and replace such equipment,” the FCC said: “Other providers of advanced communications service may not have participated in the information collection and yet still be eligible for reimbursement.”
“It is a top priority of our nation and this Commission to promote the security of our country’s communications networks,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. “That’s why we sought comprehensive information from U.S. carriers about equipment and services from untrusted vendors.”
Huawei and ZTE didn't comment immediately after Friday morning's announcement.