The Federal Communications Commission has started collecting information from telecommunications firms receiving Universal Service funds with regard to their use of services and equipment from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE in their networks.
The FCC said Wednesday that it will use the collected data to design a program to reimburse telecom carriers as they replace those equipment and services as well as inform other potential measures to safeguard the communications supply chain.
The commission will determine whether the companies use equipment from the two Chinese firms, the type of services and equipment and costs related to product procurement and installation and costs associated with the replacement of those services and systems.
Telecom carriers getting Universal Service Funds have until April 22 to submit information.
