Pallone, 3 Others File House Version of USA Telecom Act to Spur Wireless Investment

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and three other committee leaders Friday filed a companion version of the Utilizing Strategic Allied (USA) Telecommunications Act (S-3189). The bill would require the FCC to direct at least $750 million, or up to 5 percent of annual spectrum auction proceeds, to create an NTIA-managed open radio access network R&D fund to spur movement to open-architecture, software-based wireless technologies. Senate Intelligence Committee leaders filed S-3189 in January (see 2001140067). Congress “took strong action to protect our communications networks against foreign interference from dangerous companies like Huawei and ZTE” last month via the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (HR-4998), said Pallone and the other three leaders: House Commerce Oversight Subcommittee ranking member Brett Guthrie, R-Ky.; House Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore.; and House Communications Subcommittee Vice Chair Doris Matsui, D-Calif. “Now, we must follow that up by promoting equipment and technologies that can ensure a more diverse, sustainable, and competitive supply chain for America’s 5G networks.” HR-4998 allocates at least $1 billion to help U.S. communications providers remove from their networks Chinese equipment determined to threaten national security (see 2003040056). Mavenir CEO Pardeep Kohli praised the USA Telecommunications Act, saying in a statement that “advancing the deployment of OpenRAN technology is key to ensuring American leadership in building next-generation networks and creating a more competitive and innovative wireless marketplace.” Dish Network Senior Vice President-Public Policy and Government Affairs Jeff Blum said the bill's proposed grants "will enhance mobile access, spur job creation, and boost American efforts to lead the global race to 5G.”