The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has given the FCC some advice on how it should approach a "rip and replace" regime for getting existing suspect tech out of U.S. networks. 

It was providing comment on the FCC request for input on how such a regime would operate. The FCC has already voted to exclude such tech--Chinese telecoms Huawei and ZTE were first to be tentatively fingered--to be funded by Universal Service fund broadband subsidy going forward, but has only proposed the rip-and-replace regime for networks with existing tech, seeking comment on just how to do it given that at the same time it was proposing the regime, Congress mandated it in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. 

Realted: FCC Seeks Comment on Excluding Suspect Foreign Tech 

For one thing, said the group, the FCC should develop a list of categories of replacement technology, rather than specify suggested replacements, which would constitute and approved product list 9APL). CompTIA said the latter would be "counterproductive, contrast with the approach taken by other agencies in addressing suppliers of concern, impair innovation, and hurt technology neutrality." 

That is because an APL can "misalign supply chain risk decision-making, would likely lead to over- and under-inclusion of products on the list, and would unnecessarily distort the market," said the group. 

It also said such a category list should be broad and technology neutral and include hardware and software, "both for statutory reasons and because of emerging technology trends." 

The FCC is looking at virtualizing some of the core network functions, making them more software-based, a sector dominated by the U.S., rather than hardware, which is dominated by foreign suppliers, notably Chinese telecom Huawei. 

Computer training trade association CompTIA has signed the pledge, as it were, to certify 625,000 Americans for tech jobs by 2024, to the applause of Ivanka Trump.

That came in a meeting Monday with senior White House officials and top aides.

One of the challenges to transforming into the internet of everything economy is to retrain workers whose old jobs are being replaced by new tech. 

On July 19, 2018, the President signed an Executive Order creating the National Council for the American Worker. As part of that effort, the Administration is asking companies and trade groups to sign its Pledge to America’s Workers, which is a commitment "to expand programs that educate, train, and reskill American workers from high-school age to near-retirement."

“We applaud CompTIA for making this substantial and crucial investment empowering 625,000 American workers in the technology sector," said senior advisor Ivanka Trump. "Our mission is straightforward: to ensure inclusive growth and opportunity in our booming economy by creating pathways for all Americans, regardless of age or background, to acquiring the skills needed to secure and retain high-paying jobs."

CompTIA says that at $82,000, the median tech job salary is almost twice the national average. 

“CompTIA is committed to providing the training and certification American workers need for today’s jobs and for the jobs of the future,” said CompTIA President Todd Thibodeaux, who signed on the dotted line at a White House ceremony. “We are honored to sign the Pledge to America’s Workers and appreciate the efforts put forth by the White House to build a stronger workforce.”

Thibodeaux says it doesn't take a STEM degree to get on the tech track to that healthy paycheck. “Our industry is unique in that there are many on-ramps to careers and avenues to success for individuals with varied levels of education, experience and backgrounds," he said.