United States of America: Opened consultation on FCC Rulemaking implementing the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (through FCC Programs)

On 17 February 2021, the Federal Communications Commission opened a consultation on a proposed rulemaking implementing the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act 2019 (Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs). The consultation will be closed on 6 March 2021. The implemented Act prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from subsidizing the acquisition or maintenance of telecommunications equipment or services from untrusted suppliers, creates a program to reimburse telecommunications providers with fewer than two million customers that will remove equipment that poses a national security risk from their networks to replace it with equipment from trusted suppliers, and establishes an information sharing program for telecommunications providers (particularly small and rural operators) to obtain information regarding potential security risks and vulnerabilities to their networks. After the Bill becomes Public Law, the enforcement of the act is delegated to the orders of the Federal Communication Commission.