Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecommunications Act of 2020 or the USA Telecommunications Act
This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Commerce shall award grants to support the deployment and use of Open RAN 5G Networks throughout the United States.
Open RAN 5G Networks are networks that follow a set of open standards (such as O-RAN standards or the Open Radio Access Network approach to standardization) and open interfaces for multi-vendor network equipment interoperability.
Grants awarded under the program shall, among other things, (1) promote technology that will enhance competitiveness in the supply chains of Open RAN 5G Networks, (2) accelerate the deployment of Open Network Equipment, and (3) promote the inclusion of security features that enhance the integrity and availability of such equipment.
Commerce must also (1) establish the criteria for a grant award, (2) establish a committee that advises on technology developments to inform both the grant program and government efforts to support Open RAN 5G Network supply chains, and (3) report on the grant program and 5G network supply chains.