FCC Should Do What It Can Now on Rip-and-Replace Program: Summit Ridge

in a filing Friday in docket 18-89: “The FCC’s current policy is to freeze the entire reimbursement application while an amendment is under review. This unnecessarily delays the reimbursement of non-amended line items.” The FCC should also fully staff the program. “We notice significant delays even though invoice submission is still at low levels industry-wide,” Summit Ridge said. It warned that at the current pace “it could take decades to process the expected invoices.” The firm also wants streamlining of the program and the elimination of some documentation requirements. “The Fund Administrator’s exacting standards for invoice detail is costing operators tens of thousands of dollars in administrative costs, without any corresponding contribution to the public interest.” The FCC should also push Congress to fully fund the costs of the program, the filing said. Congress would need to approve another $3.08 billion to pay the costs of replacing all unsecure equipment (see 2207150067). “Networks typically use proprietary technology and cannot be replaced piecemeal and continue to operate,” Summit Ridge said: “Without assurances that the program will be funded beyond its current 40% … participants, both large and small, have not been able to fund their replacement operations, including placing orders for equipment.”