NTCA Complains About Rip-and-Replace Reimbursement Issues
NTCA told the FCC it agrees with concerns raised by the Rural Wireless Association (see 2311130058) and the Competitive Carriers Association on long delays small carriers face in receiving reimbursement through the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program.…
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“While NTCA appreciates that the Fund Administrator may be addressing staffing shortages, participants in the Reimbursement Program continue to experience excessive delays in getting invoices approved and additional delays for receiving reimbursements,” according to a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-89: “Unforeseen delays in the Reimbursement Program are making it difficult for participants to complete the required work within the one-year timeline. This not only lengthens the amount of time that insecure equipment remains in operation, but it also costs participants significant resources.” While lack of full funding for the program is a “significant hurdle outside of the Commission’s control,” CCA members “are also experiencing challenges related to the Reimbursement Program’s administration that we encourage the Commission to address expeditiously,” CCA said in a filing earlier this month.