A U.S. spectrum auction raised $3.5 billion to help replace Huawei and ZTE equipment

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said a mid-band wireless spectrum auction raised more than $3.5 billion, with up to $3.3 billion to support the “rip and replace” program helping carriers remove Huawei and ZTE equipment. The U.S. previously estimated the full replacement would cost $4.98 billion, while the original appropriation was only $1.9 billion. Only 42% of funded carriers have completed removal and disposal, with permitting, supply chains, labor and extreme weather slowing progress.