FCC’s $3B Rip and Replace: The Comedic Saga of Spectrum Auctions and Chinese Spy Gear
FCC’s outgoing boss, Jessica Rosenworcel, urges swift spectrum auction to fund ‘Rip and Replace.’ The $3 billion loan from Congress hinges on auctioning AWS-3 spectrum, with telcos footing the bill to remove risky Chinese equipment. Will the plan succeed, or is it a game of musical chairs with tech giants?
Hot Take:
It seems our dear FCC boss Jessica Rosenworcel is trying to leave quite the legacy as she exits stage left. Not content with just a simple farewell card and a gold watch, she’s decided to auction off the radio spectrum and replace naughty Chinese tech in one fell swoop. Who knew the FCC had such a flair for drama?
Key Points:
- FCC’s “Rip and Replace” program targets removal of Huawei and ZTE equipment from US networks.
- Initial funding of $1.9 billion saw only 12% of equipment removed, with an additional $3 billion needed.
- Proposed spectrum auction aims to fund the program by granting AWS-3 radio frequencies to telcos.
- Rosenworcel pushes for better network security amid high-profile cyberattacks linked to Chinese entities.
- Rosenworcel to be replaced by Brendan Carr following her departure on January 20.
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