CCA has previously pointed out that without enough funding
to replace Chinese gear, small telecom operators could go out
of business. And that would also affect larger mobile carriers
that rely on these small networks for roaming in rural areas.
The Telecommunica ons Industry Associa on CEO David
Stehlin said he "was stunned" to see that the omnibus bill
does not include the remaining $3.08 billion required for the
Trusted Communica ons Networks Reimbursement Program.
"This program – to replace public network equipment from
Chinese vendors who pose na onal security risks – has long
had bipar san support since it was ini ally created in 2019
and par ally funded in 2020," wrote Stehlin. "Without this
funding from Congress, the en re program is in jeopardy, and
these unsecured public networks will con nue to operate
while pu ng Americans and their informa on at risk."
More mid-band spectrum
The omnibus bill also doesn't men on making more mid-
band spectrum available for wireless use. And perhaps this
isn't surprising, given the fact that Congress didn't address
the more deadline-crucial issues of long-term spectrum
auc on authority and Huawei rip and replace.
The most immediate spectrum of concern in the wireless
industry is the 3.1-3.45 GHz. CTIA has been lobbying for
auc on of the spectrum, while many other stakeholders
would like to see a spectrum-sharing policy similar to Ci zens
Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum.
There are currently intense discussions ongoing between
industry stakeholders and Senator Maria Cantwell
(D-WA) who chairs the Senate's Commerce, Science and
Transporta on Commi ee, as well as Aus n Bonner, the
White House's assistant director for Spectrum & Telecom.
Ar cle Credit: h ps://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/
congress-kicks-can-wireless-telecom-issues-2022-ends
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