The Open RAN Outreach Act, a bipartisan bill by Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) passed the U.S. House today. It passed by 410-17.
The bill strengthens the diversity of U.S. wireless networks and protects the supply chain from reliance on untrusted technology companies. The bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to provide outreach and technical assistance to small communications network providers regarding how to use Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) technologies including those produced in North Texas.
“Protecting our wireless networks from untrusted vendors, including those backed by the Chinese government is a top priority,” said Allred. “We must do all we can to strengthen our technology supply chain against any untrusted vendors and this bill helps small carriers do just that. I am glad this bipartisan bill has passed the House and urge the Senate to act on this bill and send it to the President’s desk.”
Allred spoke on the House floor in support of the bill. Watch here.
This bipartisan bill is co-led by Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC-08), Congressman Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02).
Background on radio access networks:
A radio access network consists of cell sites and their subcomponents such as radios, hardware and software. Many carriers today use a closed or proprietary network, meaning that they need to use one vendor or manufacturer from end-to-end. This can place a substantial cost burden on smaller carriers to reduce costs, potentially by using cheaper, Chinese-owned alternatives like Huawei. There are only three major non-Chinese companies, Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia, that produce end-to-end network equipment.
An Open Radio Access Network is an open network infrastructure that would allow different components to be produced by different companies, leading to a more diverse and competitive supply chain for carriers. To ensure that smaller carriers have the tools and information they need to deploy Open RAN technology if desired, Allred’s legislation calls for technical assistance to be provided to these carriers by the Administration through NTIA.
Original source can be found here.
