Open RAN Outreach Act
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The bill would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to provide outreach and technical assistance to small communications network providers about Open RAN networks, an open, interoperable alternative to proprietary wireless equipment.
It would also help small providers understand how to participate in an existing federal grant program that funds Open RAN development, aiming to lower barriers for smaller companies adopting the technology.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers. The assistance would cover two areas: raising awareness of the uses, benefits, and challenges of Open RAN networks and other open network architectures, and helping small providers understand how to participate in the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program established under the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The bill defines "Open RAN network" and "open network architecture" but does not create new funding, grant programs, or regulatory requirements. It does not alter the existing grant program itself, only directs outreach to help small providers access it.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the Assistant Secretary to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small providers on the uses, benefits, and challenges of Open RAN networks
- 2Would require outreach and assistance to small providers regarding participation in the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program
- 3Defines 'Assistant Secretary,' 'open network architecture,' and 'Open RAN network' for purposes of the outreach requirement
Who would be affected
Small communications network providers, particularly rural and smaller wireless carriers, that may lack resources to evaluate or adopt Open RAN technology. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth would carry out the new outreach and technical assistance duties.
Why it matters
Smaller providers often lack the technical staff or resources to evaluate emerging network architectures or navigate federal grant applications. Targeted federal outreach could help them adopt Open RAN standards and access existing grant funding, potentially broadening competition and interoperability in wireless equipment markets beyond a few large vendors.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2037 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, with no significant effect on the federal deficit.
H.R. 2037 would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications providers about Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) and how to participate in the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program, which Congress funded with $1.5 billion in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. CBO estimates the administrative cost of carrying out these new outreach and technical assistance duties would be negligible — less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period — subject to the availability of appropriations (discretionary spending that Congress would need to authorize each year). The bill would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates.
How implementation would work
The Assistant Secretary, acting through the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, would develop and carry out outreach materials and technical assistance activities aimed at small communications network providers. This would involve explaining Open RAN concepts and standards and guiding providers through eligibility and application steps for the existing Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program, rather than creating new funding, reporting requirements, or rulemaking.
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 conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers regarding the benefits, uses, and challenges of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) standards and other open network architectures. (Open RAN is a nonproprietary, standardized network deployment approach that promotes open networks with interoperable equipment and virtualized network operations.)
The NTIA must also conduct outreach and provide assistance to small providers regarding participation in the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, a competitive grant program that funds efforts to accelerate the development, deployment, and adoption of Open RAN.
Legislative subjects
Government information and archives; Science, Technology, Communications; Telephone and wireless communication
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-184