Telecom Industry Urges Congress to Address Shortfall in Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program
Today, a group of industry associations, including WTA, sent letters to the Chair and Ranking Members Senate and House Appropriations Committees requesting that they address the shortfall in funding of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program administered by the FCC.
The letters note that on February 9, 2022, the FCC announced that it had received 181 applications and that “the gross cost estimate demand … contained in the applications initially found eligible and acceptable for filing is nearly $5.6 billion.” This amount exceeds the $1.895 billion currently appropriated to be used for reimbursement costs. Absent additional funding, the FCC will be forced to implement prorating available funding using the prioritization process directed by Congress.
