A bipartisan bill establishes a 10-years long grant programme for the development of OpenRAN.
$750m for OpenRAN over 10 years: On 17 November 2020, the House of Representatives of the US Congress passed the “Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecommunications Act of 2020” (or “USA Telecommunications Act”). The bill directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to begin issuing competitive grants within 18 months, to promote the use of technology “that will enhance competitiveness in the supply chains of OpenRAN 5G Networks”. $750m is made available for the years between 2021 and 2031.
A bipartisan effort that could be replicated in the Senate: The bill was voted unanimously, which suggests that it could pass the Senate equally easily. In January 2020, a bipartisan group of Senators had introduced a similar bill.
How it would work in practice: The bill would create an oversight committee made up of representatives of several government agencies and of the private sector, to direct the grants and to inform government efforts to support OpenRAN 5G supply chains. The NTIA would have to establish the criteria for granting awards, and regularly report on grant programs and on 5G supply chains.
