The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) has released a Public Notice seeking comment on the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program Report, the preliminary Catalog of Eligible Expenses and Estimated Costs, and the preliminary List of Categories of Suggested Replacement Equipment and Services. Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, the Commission was required to publish a list of suggested replacements. To comply with the Act, the Bureau contracted Widelity, Inc. to produce the initial Replacement List along with a Cost Catalog and a report detailing anticipated steps in moving forward with the replacement, removal, and disposal of unsecure communications equipment and services.
The Cost Catalog and Replacement List contemplate five basic areas for network replacement: (1) access layer equipment; (2) distribution layer equipment; (3) core layer equipment; (4) software; and (5) services. The Cost Catalog provides a range of estimated costs for each category and the Replacement List notes suggested categories of replacement equipment and services while not identifying specific equipment and services or manufacturers. Comments on this Public Notice are due April 26, 2021.
