HR8320-119

What This Bill Does

The USA 6G Global Leadership Act states that the United States has national-security, economic, and foreign-policy interests in winning global 6G leadership and that China uses nonmarket practices to accelerate 5G and 6G development, constrain secure telecommunications access, and disadvantage trusted vendors. It assigns the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy to coordinate and lead U.S. diplomatic efforts before the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference and the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. The Ambassador must coordinate across State, Commerce, and other federal agencies; promote ITU leadership candidates aligned with U.S. economic and security objectives; consult U.S. private-sector entities; brief Congress quarterly; advance U.S. interests for WRC-2027; conduct diplomatic outreach; and perform other Secretary-prescribed duties. Within 90 days, State must report on PRC and Russian efforts to use the ITU or other forums to constrain digital freedom, expand ITU internet-governance authority, influence developing countries, and shape standards. The State Secretary, coordinating with the International Development Finance Corporation and U.S. Trade and Development Agency, should support telecommunications infrastructure projects that promote trusted vendors in developing countries and use U.S. technology or allied technology when U.S. goods and services are unavailable, through feasibility studies, development loans, direct investments, and other support. State must report within one year on those projects. Within 90 days, State must also report on the U.S. strategy to promote and dominate 6G globally, including allied market leadership, standard-setting engagement, AI and critical-technology competition, and low-earth orbit satellite roles.

Who Benefits and How

U.S. telecommunications companies benefit from a diplomatic strategy to promote trusted 6G vendors and compete in global standard-setting. Allied technology vendors benefit when project assistance can use allied goods and services if U.S. technology is unavailable. Developing-country telecommunications users benefit if projects expand secure connectivity through trusted vendors. The State Department cyber diplomacy office benefits from a clear mandate for ITU and WRC engagement. DFC and USTDA project teams benefit from a statutory role supporting telecommunications infrastructure. Congressional foreign-affairs, energy, commerce, and transportation committees benefit from quarterly briefings and strategy reports. U.S. satellite and AI firms benefit from recognition of low-earth orbit satellites and critical technologies in the 6G strategy.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy must coordinate ITU, WRC, private-sector, agency, congressional, and diplomatic work. The Secretary of State must prepare 90-day PRC/Russia and 6G strategy reports and a one-year project report. State, Commerce, DFC, and USTDA staff must coordinate project assistance and diplomatic engagement. PRC state-owned telecommunications firms face U.S.-led competition and trusted-vendor diplomacy. Russian and PRC standards advocates face scrutiny for efforts to constrain digital freedom or expand ITU internet-governance authority. Federal project finance staff must evaluate feasibility studies, development loans, direct investments, and other support for telecommunications infrastructure.

Key Provisions

• States U.S. interest in winning global 6G leadership and countering PRC nonmarket telecommunications practices.
• Directs the cyber diplomacy Ambassador to lead U.S. efforts for the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.
• Requires private-sector consultation, interagency coordination, quarterly congressional briefings, and diplomatic outreach.
• Requires a 90-day report on PRC and Russian efforts in ITU, internet governance, digital freedom, and standards influence.
• Authorizes project assistance for trusted telecommunications infrastructure using U.S. or allied technology.
• Requires a one-year project report and a 90-day global 6G dominance strategy.