Congressman Russell Fry of South Carolina’s 7th district has introduced the Timely Replacement Under Secure and Trusted for Early and Dependable (TRUSTED) Broadband Networks Act. The bill aims to help small and rural broadband providers secure their networks by removing and replacing foreign telecommunications equipment that is considered insecure.
The legislation builds on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which allocated funding for smaller providers to replace foreign-supplied equipment. The new bill seeks to streamline this process by reducing bureaucratic requirements, specifically exempting certain replacement projects from reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). It also defines which projects are covered, focusing on the removal of equipment deemed insecure under the 2019 law and its replacement with trusted alternatives.
Additionally, the act would simplify federal authorizations required for these projects, including permits and certifications. The goal is to ensure that small telecom providers in rural areas can upgrade their networks without delays from redundant federal reviews.
According to Congressman Fry, “Securing our broadband infrastructure is essential to protecting not only national security, but also the everyday lives of Americans who rely on fast, safe, and reliable internet. The TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act puts our small and rural providers in a position to act quickly and ensures adversaries cannot exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. networks.”
Tim Donovan, President and CEO of Competitive Carriers Association, stated: “CCA appreciates Representative Fry’s leadership in reintroducing the TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act. Our members participating in the Rip and Replace Program are committed to secure networks, and this important national security program should not face unnecessary delays caused permitting and siting challenges. Addressing these obstacles is important to keep the program on track to meet the timeline Congress intended and secure our nation’s networks. I commend Congress’s commitment to this important effort and urge swift action on this bill.”
Russell Fry has represented South Carolina’s 7th district since 2023 after succeeding Tom Rice [source]. Before his current role in Congress, he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2015 until 2022 [source]. Fry was born in Surfside Beach in 1985 and now lives in Murrells Inlet [source]. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in 2007 before earning a JD from Charleston School of Law in 2011 [source].
Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the House Judiciary Committee.
