The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has submitted its Third Report to Congress on the implementation of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Reimbursement Program) and the work that recipients have done to permanently remove, replace, and dispose of covered communications equipment or services. The Bureau has reported that five Reimbursement Program recipients have filed final certifications with the Bureau indicating that they have permanently removed, replaced, and disposed of all covered communications equipment and services that were in their networks as of the date they submitted their Reimbursement Program application.
The Bureau has also highlighted five challenges that Reimbursement Program recipients are facing, including: (1) lack of funding; (2) supply chain delays; (3) labor shortages; (4) weather-related challenges; and (5) extended review times in processing of reimbursement claims. The FCC’s next report to Congress on the implementation of the Reimbursement Program is due by July 8, 2024.
