Complete replacement of telecommunications equipmentHuawei and ZTE will cost the United States nearly $5 billion, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said during a speech to Congress.
What is known
In the fall of 2021, the FCC received from the federalbudget of $1.9 billion. The commission is now requesting additional funding of $3.08 billion. Thus, if there are no additional costs in the future, the total replacement of equipment will cost $4.98 billion.
Due to a lack of funding, the FCC decided in the first placethe turn to compensate for the costs of companies that have no more than 2 million subscribers. According to Jessica Rosevorsel, the application deadline for providers is coming to an end soon.
The United States declared a few years ago thatHuawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment poses a threat to national security. In 2020, a campaign was initiated to replace Chinese equipment, both in the US and in other states.
Despite all the efforts of the American authorities,many countries continue to use Huawei products. For example, in the UK, 41% of 4G equipment comes from Huawei. At the same time, the United Kingdom will exclude it from 5G network projects until 2027.
Germany, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Austria andGermany continues to buy Huawei 5G equipment. Although it is worth noting that Germany plans to conduct an audit for threats to national security. Berlin wants to decide on its own about the future of Huawei equipment, without pressure from the US.