No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states the sense of Congress that—(1) the United States has a national security, economic, and foreign policy interest in winning the race for 6G global leadership; (2) the People's Republic of China's use of malign nonmarket practices to accelerate its development of 5G and 6G technology is coercive and constrains countries' access to reliable and secure telecommunications services; (3) the United States government should leverage economic and diplomatic tools to ensure U.S. companies are positioned to compete as leading providers of 6G technology and are not unfairly disadvantaged by PRC-based state-owned enterprises; (4) it is in the U.S. interest to engage at the International Telecommunications Union and private standard-setting bodies to lead on key telecommunications, information, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence; and (5) it is critical to cooperate with like-minded allies and partners, including through multilateral coordination, to promote secure telecommunications networks by achieving market leadership for trusted vendors.
This section directs the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy to coordinate and lead U.S. diplomatic efforts ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in 2026 and World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in 2027, including (1) interagency coordination with the Departments of State and Commerce and others to promote ITU leadership candidates supporting U.S. economic and security objectives on telecommunications security, digital freedom, and IT governance and standards; (2) consultation with U.S. private sector entities on ITU elections; (3) quarterly briefings to Congress on developments; (4) interagency coordination to advance U.S. interests ahead of the WRC; (5) diplomatic outreach on international telecommunications; and (6) other duties as prescribed by the Secretary of State. It requires the Secretary of State to submit to specified congressional committees, within 90 days of enactment, an unclassified report (with possible classified annex) on efforts by China and Russia to leverage the ITU to constrain digital freedom, expand its internet governance mandate, influence developing countries on standards and elections, and advantage their nationals in ITU roles. The provision sunsets upon conclusion of the WRC in 2027.
This section directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), to carry out projects asserting U.S. global leadership in telecommunications infrastructure. (DFC provides loans, guarantees, and equity investments for development projects advancing U.S. interests; USTDA funds feasibility studies and technical assistance for infrastructure in developing countries.) The Secretary must prioritize projects that (1) promote connectivity and use of trusted vendors in developing countries and (2) use technology produced by U.S. companies or entities, or by companies organized under the laws of U.S. allies if U.S. technology goods and services are unavailable; such projects may receive support through early-stage project development (including feasibility studies), development loans, direct investments in companies or projects advancing U.S. foreign policy interests, or other appropriate methods. Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary must submit to Congress a report describing projects undertaken pursuant to these priorities.
This section directs the Secretary of State to submit to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than 90 days after enactment, a report detailing the U.S. strategy to promote and dominate 6G technology globally. The report must describe and analyze Department of State activities regarding (1) deepening cooperation with like-minded countries to promote U.S. and allied market leadership in 6G networks and technologies; (2) coordinating with federal agencies and U.S. private sector entities for diplomatic engagements at telecommunication standard-setting bodies; and (3) the effects of competition in artificial intelligence and other critical or emerging technologies, including low-earth orbit satellites, on ensuring the U.S. remains the partner of choice in 6G infrastructure. The report must be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.