The FCC’s ‘rip and replace’ program aims to reimburse U.S. network operators for the costs involved in removing “unsecure” equipment, or gear from Chinese vendors ZTE and Huawei – from their wireless networks. This program impacts smaller operators more than Tier 1 operators because that’s where Huawei and ZTE were able to sell their equipment. These operators now face the daunting task of replacing that equipment. This panel will look at how infrastructure companies are working with the small rural carriers to meet the FCC deadlines given supply chain challenges, labor shortages and difficulty in migrating existing customers from the legacy banned Chinese networks to the new secure networks.
