On July 18, 2022, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice (“Notice”) announcing approved applications for reimbursement submitted in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (“Reimbursement Program”). A list of the approved applicants can be found in the Appendix attached to the Notice.
The Reimbursement Program is funded by a $1.9 billion congressional appropriation (however, Chairwoman Rosenworcel recently provided an update to Congress on the need for supplemental funding). Because demand for program support exceeds available funding, the Secure Networks Act requires that the Bureau implement a prioritization scheme that requires funding to be allocated first to approved applicants that have 2,000,000 or fewer customers (“Priority 1”). The Bureau has determined that Priority 1 applicants have submitted approximately $4,640,284,672 in cost estimates that are reasonable and supported. Because available funding is substantially less than that amount, the Commission rules require that allocations to Priority 1 applicants be prorated on an equal basis; such allocations are set forth in the Appendix.
Pursuant to the Commission’s rules, after eligible providers receive funding allocations and incur actual costs, they may begin filing reimbursement claims along with supporting invoices and other cost documentation to draw from their allocations. Each Reimbursement Program recipient must file at least one reimbursement claim to receive a funding disbursement within one year of the approval of its Application Request for Funding Allocation. Consistent with the Secure Networks Act, Reimbursement Program participants are required to complete the removal, replacement, and disposal process within one year from the initial disbursement of funds, and Individual extensions may be granted on request. The Notice also reminds Reimbursement Program participants of the requirement to file status updates with the Commission on the work they have done to permanently remove, replace, and dispose of the Huawei and ZTE communications equipment and services in their networks at least once every 90 days, beginning on the date the Bureau approves the recipient’s application for reimbursement and until the recipient files its final certification.
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