Security News > 2020 > March > US Congress Passes Bill Funding 'Rip and Replace' for Huawei Gear
US lawmakers have passed legislation offering $1 billion to help telecom carriers "Rip and replace" equipment from Chinese tech firms Huawei and ZTE amid national security concerns.
To allay concerns over the impact for small telecom carriers, the bill provides funds to subsidize the removal of equipment "That poses a national security risk" for firms with fewer than two million customers, according to the text.
"Telecommunications equipment from certain foreign adversaries poses a significant threat to our national security, economic prosperity, and the future of US leadership in advanced wireless technology," said Senator Roger Wicker, a sponsor of the measure.
In early February, US officials unsealed a criminal indictment alleging the Chinese tech giant engaged in a "Decades-long" effort to steal trade secrets from American companies.
Huawei, one of the largest global tech firms and a major telecom equipment maker, has also been banned from receiving exports of many US technology products and services.