Recently, American telecom networks have been in the spotlight as intelligence officials confirmed that Chinese state-backed hacking activities are targeting these networks. The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up to vote on an annual defense bill next week, which includes $3 billion allocated to remove Chinese telecom equipment from American wireless networks.
The National Defense Authorization Act update, an 1,800-page document, was published recently, increasing funding for networks’ reimbursement under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act from $1.9 billion to $4.98 billion. This matches the estimate provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Originally passed in 2019, the act prohibits equipment and services that pose a national security risk from entering U.S. networks, mainly targeting technology from Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE. It includes a reimbursement fund to replace technology made by these prohibited companies.
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel urged Congress to provide additional funding, stating that 126 carriers in the United States face a $3.08 billion shortfall to replace the insecure technology. The deadline for this replacement work is June 21, 2025, but extensions can be granted based on delayed reimbursements.
Rosenworcel highlighted that lack of funding is hindering the removal, replacement, and disposal of banned technology, with rural communities being impacted more significantly. The funding shortfall is also affecting the connectivity for millions of Americans.
In a recent revelation, it was disclosed that Chinese state-sponsored hackers have compromised at least eight American telecommunications companies, posing a risk of ongoing compromises to communications until the cybersecurity gaps are addressed.
The ongoing cyber campaign, known as “Salt Typhoon,” is currently under investigation by the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. These agencies have reported that Chinese hackers are conducting a significant cyber espionage campaign aimed at stealing data from individuals in government and politics.
Overall, the situation underscores the importance of securing American telecom networks against foreign threats and the critical need for additional funding to address cybersecurity gaps and maintain network integrity. Could you please rephrase this sentence?
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