Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2025
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Would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to encourage U.S. companies and stakeholders to participate in international wireless communications standards-setting bodies — covering 5G and future network generations — and to offer technical assistance to facilitate that participation, while excluding entities determined to pose a national security threat.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require NTIA's Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to actively encourage U.S. companies and a broad range of relevant stakeholders to participate in standards-setting bodies that govern 5G and next-generation wireless networks. It would also direct the Assistant Secretary to offer technical expertise to help those companies and stakeholders engage effectively. The work would be carried out in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of State. Covered bodies include the International Organization for Standardization, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and any body accredited by the American National Standards Institute or the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions.
The bill would prohibit the Assistant Secretary from encouraging or assisting any company or stakeholder determined to be "not trusted" — meaning one found to pose a threat to U.S. national security based on determinations by executive branch interagency bodies, the Department of Commerce under Executive Order 13873, or coverage under the covered-telecommunications-equipment provisions of the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Within 60 days of enactment, the Assistant Secretary would be required to brief relevant House and Senate committees on the strategy for carrying out these duties.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the Assistant Secretary to equitably encourage U.S. companies and stakeholders to participate in wireless communications standards-setting bodies for 5G and future networks
- 2Would require the Assistant Secretary to offer technical expertise to eligible companies and stakeholders to facilitate their participation in those standards bodies
- 3Would prohibit encouraging or assisting any company or stakeholder determined to pose a threat to U.S. national security, based on specified executive-branch determinations
- 4Would require the Assistant Secretary to brief relevant House and Senate committees on the participation strategy within 60 days of enactment
Who would be affected
U.S. telecommunications companies, wireless equipment manufacturers, technology firms, and other industry stakeholders who participate — or could participate — in international wireless standards bodies. NTIA's Assistant Secretary and staff would take on new outreach and technical assistance responsibilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of State would serve as consulting partners.
Why it matters
If enacted, U.S. companies would have a formal federal partner actively supporting their seat at the table in bodies that shape how 5G and future wireless networks are designed globally. Influence over standards has competitive and national security implications, as the technical rules set by these bodies can favor particular vendors or approaches. The national-security carveout ensures the government would not assist entities flagged as threats.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Congressional briefing on the participation strategy due
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1765 would have no significant effect on the federal budget.
H.R. 1765 would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to encourage trusted companies and standards-setting bodies to participate in developing standards for 5G and future generations of wireless communications networks, and to provide technical assistance to those entities. CBO estimates that any costs from implementing this bill would be small and could be covered within the NTIA's existing budgetary resources. The bill would not significantly affect direct spending or revenues, and pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
How implementation would work
The Assistant Secretary would develop a strategy — in consultation with NIST and the State Department — and brief four congressional committees within 60 days of enactment. No rulemaking is required. Implementation would proceed through outreach and technical assistance to eligible companies and stakeholders, with the Assistant Secretary applying existing executive-branch national-security determinations to screen out "not trusted" entities. There are no grant cycles, matching requirements, or annual reporting mandates specified in the bill beyond the initial congressional briefing.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official CRS summary
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This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to encourage companies and other relevant stakeholders to participate in organizations that set standards for wireless communications networks and equipment. NTIA must also offer technical assistance to facilitate such participation.
NTIA may not encourage or facilitate participation by companies and stakeholders determined to pose a threat to U.S. national security.
Legislative subjects
Congressional oversight; International organizations and cooperation; Public-private cooperation; Science, Technology, Communications; Technology assessment; Telephone and wireless communication
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-196