This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, through the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers. The outreach will explain the uses, benefits, and challenges of Open RAN networks and other open network architectures. It also covers information about participating in the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program created under section 9202(a)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The bill defines the Assistant Secretary, "open network architecture," and "Open RAN network," and says Open RAN follows standards adopted by groups like the O-RAN Alliance, Telecom Infra Project, or 3GPP.
If you are a small communications network provider, this bill would mean a federal office will offer outreach and technical help about Open RAN systems and how to take part in a related grant program. The help comes from the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth. If you are not a small provider, the bill text does not describe any direct changes to your services or operations.
No publicly available information on costs, funding sources, or authorized appropriations appears in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.