Wireless connections have always been more vulnerable to hackers than hard-wired connections.  Wireless network vulnerability is also NOT a new thing.

Last month it was reported that one longstanding network flaw has continued to NOT be fixed.  Also reported – due to security concerns, Congress allocated $1.9B to remove Huawei and ZTE gear from American networks.

From Telecoms:

CONGRESS EARMARKS $1.9 BILLION TO REMOVE HUAWEI AND ZTE GEAR FROM AMERICAN NETWORKS

The US lawmakers have included in the coronavirus relief package up to $1.9 billion as reimbursement for American CSPs to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from their networks.

European readers woke up this morning to the breaking news alerts on their smartphone screens that the US Congress has agreed to a $900 billion package of COVID-19 pandemic aid. More details of what are included in the package, especially details related to the telecoms industry, have just been disclosed.

Reuters learned from its sources that $1.9 billion has been set aside to finance American broadband operators to remove and replace equipment from Huawei and ZTE that is operating on the systems. Back in June the FCC formally designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats. Such designations excluded the vendors from the shopping list of any operators wishing to access the Universal Service Fund (USF), worth $8.3 billion. Earlier this month the FCC shared more details on its mandate to operators which have equipment from these vendors to "rip and replace" with equipment from vendors deemed safe. The $1.9 billion is to compensate the cost to implement the rip-and-replace policy. The priority of the reimbursement is with small operators, especially those with two million subscribers or less, Reuters reported.