H.R. 1377: Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2023

This bill, known as the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2023, aims to enhance the United States' participation and influence in international communications standards-setting organizations. The primary focus is on standards related to 5G networks and future generations of wireless communication. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Objectives

The bill outlines specific actions for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The goals include:

• Encouragement of Participation: Actively encouraging participation from various companies and stakeholders in standards-setting organizations. However, companies or stakeholders deemed "not trusted"—those considered a national security threat—will not be included.
• Technical Expertise Support: Providing technical expertise to eligible participants to facilitate their involvement in these organizations.

Standards-Setting Bodies

The bill specifies which standards-setting bodies it refers to, including:

• The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Voluntary standards-setting bodies like the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Any body accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS)

Reporting Requirements

Within 60 days of the bill's enactment, the Assistant Secretary is required to brief specific Congressional committees on the proposed strategy for enhancing U.S. representation and leadership in these organizations.

Definitions

The bill provides several definitions to clarify terms used throughout the legislation:

• 5G network: Refers to a mobile network that follows the standards described in 3GPP Release 15 or higher.
• Not trusted: Refers to companies or stakeholders identified as posing a national security risk, based on assessments from appropriate national security bodies or determinations related to telecommunications equipment and services.
• Communications network: Encompasses systems that enable the transmission of information and access to cloud computing resources.

Implications

The overarching implication of this bill is to bolster U.S. influence in the development of global communication standards, particularly in the domain of wireless technologies. By restricting the participation of entities labeled as threats, it seeks to maintain U.S. leadership and security in telecommunications.

Relevant Companies

• T (AT&T Inc.) - As a major telecommunications provider, AT&T would likely be impacted by new standards and practices established under this bill, which may influence their operations and compliance in relation to international standards-setting.
• VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.) - Verizon, as a leading player in wireless communications, may need to adjust its strategies and align with U.S. guidance on participation in global standards-setting organizations.
• CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) - Cisco, which provides networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, could face changes in procedures based on new standards that may arise from the bill’s directives.