HR2037-119

What This Bill Does

The Open RAN Outreach Act directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the head of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers. The assistance must raise awareness about the uses, benefits, and challenges of Open RAN networks and other open network architectures. It must also help small providers understand participation in the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program established under the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill defines open network architecture as Open RAN networks and other network elements that follow published open standards for multi-vendor equipment interoperability, including open core and open transport. It defines Open RAN network as a wireless network following the Open Radio Access Network architecture and published open standards for multi-vendor network equipment interoperability.

Who Benefits and How

Small communications network providers, rural broadband providers, wireless internet service providers, community broadband operators, Open RAN vendors, multi-vendor equipment manufacturers, network integration firms, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth staff, NTIA grant outreach teams, and communities served by small providers benefit from lower information barriers, technical assistance on Open RAN tradeoffs, and clearer access to Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program opportunities.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth staff, NTIA technical assistance teams, Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program administrators, small communications providers, rural broadband engineers, network procurement staff, and grant writers must conduct outreach, explain Open RAN uses and challenges, evaluate multi-vendor interoperability, assess operational risks, and prepare or review grant-participation materials.

Key Provisions

• Requires NTIA outreach and technical assistance to small communications network providers.
• Requires awareness-building on Open RAN uses, benefits, and challenges.
• Requires assistance on Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program participation.
• Defines open network architecture to include Open RAN, open core, open transport, and published open standards for multi-vendor interoperability.
• Defines Open RAN network by Open Radio Access Network architecture and published interoperability standards.