More funds needed for US telecoms to remove Chinese equipment, says FCC

FILE PHOTO: Customers shop at a Huawei's flagship store, as Huawei Pura 70 series models go on sale, in Beijing, China April 18, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday nearly 40% of U.S. telecom companies getting federal support need additional government funding to remove equipment made by Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and ZTE from American wireless networks to address security risks.

The FCC said removing the equipment is estimated to cost $4.98 billion but Congress has only approved $1.9 billion for the "rip and replace" program.