Wireless carriers are getting understandably antsy about potentially having to foot much of the multi-billion-dollar bill for ripping and replacing suspect tech from their networks, which they must do at the command of Congress and the FCC.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, the Competitive Carriers Association and others called on Congress to fully fund the program.

The FCC signaled last week it would come up about $3 billion short given how much money was applied for -- over $5 billion -- and how much Congress set aside -- under $2 billion -- in the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act.

Also: FCC Is $3 Billion Short on Rip and Replace

If Congress does not fork over more, the FCC says that it has no choice -- given Congress' directive on the program -- to pay cents on the dollar and only to the first priority group. The FCC said that all the money it currently has will not even cover the eligible applicants in group 1 -- there are four groups -- which will only get 39.5 cents on the dollar.

Group one comprises applicants with fewer than two million customers.

“This is not only a national security issue, but it is an important consumer issue as well," said CCA President Steven K. Berry. "Failure to make up for the funding shortfall threatens the availability of advanced communications to residents and visitors in large parts of the country, especially in rural areas – an outcome that no one wants to see."

The outcome of cents on the dollar is definitely not the outcome Berry is looking for.

"The FCC has pro-rated available funds as directed by law, leaving affected carriers in a hole they may never be able to climb out of," he said. "I strongly encourage Congress to act immediately to help secure support to fully fund the program and provide the FCC with the necessary funds to address the current shortfall. Time is of the essence."

Help could be on the way.

On July 13, the House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously approved -- 52 to 0 -- the Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022, which reauthorizes the FCC's spectrum auction authority. Among many other things, that bill would direct some of the proceeds from upcoming auctions to help pay for rip and replace. ■

The Competitive Carriers Association said Monday (Jan. 11) it has decided to make its upcoming 2021 Mobile Carriers Show entirely virtual. 

Also Read: CCA Promotes 'Replace and Rip'

The show will not be held March 30-31 wherever there is a broadband connection, appropriate for mobile carriers providing vital connectivity during an ongoing pandemic that has created a primarily virtual world.

“Due to current conditions, CCA’s 2021 Mobile Carriers Show (MCS 2021) will take place 100% online on March 30-31," said CCA president Steven K. Berry. "The health and safety of our attendees continues to be our top priority, and at this time the best way to ensure a safe and successful event is doing so virtually."

Also Read: C-Band Watchers Weigh In

Berry said that, while the venue would be virtual, it would still be "an exceptional, carrier-centric event featuring key industry thought leaders, exhibitors, and networking capabilities."

Among the issues teed up for remote debate are fixed wireless access, Open RAN, network security, supply chain issues, spectrum access, and closing the rural digital divide.

Opening up a new subscriber acquisition door, Sling TV has inked a deal that enables members of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) to bundle the OTT TV service with their wireless plans and put them on a single bill.

CCA is a group that represents rural, regional and national wireless telecom providers such as Carolina West Wireless, Cellular One, GCI, Quality One Wireless, Northwest Missouri Cellular, Naked Mobile, and Bluegrass Cellular.

“This new program helps level the playing field for CCA’s nearly 100 members in an increasingly competitive video industry, where providers constantly battle for customer loyalty,” Warren Schlichting, EVP of marketing, programming and media sales at Sling TV, said in a statement. “Now, Sling TV and CCA make it easier than ever to give CCA members’ 120+ million customers access to the popular entertainment they want at an industry-leading price.”

“We are delighted to partner with Sling TV, the leading live TV streaming service, on this new program, which will bring immense value to members, especially those that do not currently offer video,” added Steven K. Berry, CCA’s president and CEO.