Summary of the Bill

The "Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2025," known formally as H.R. 1765, mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to take steps to enhance the representation and leadership of the United States in global communications standards-setting bodies. This bill focuses on standards for 5G networks and future wireless communication technologies. It outlines the roles of the Assistant Secretary in encouraging participation from U.S. companies and stakeholders while excluding those deemed "not trusted" due to national security concerns. The bill references notable organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which are pivotal in setting global communication standards. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary is required to brief certain Congressional committees with a strategy to execute these tasks.

Significant Issues

One of the major issues the bill faces is the criteria used to exclude certain companies or stakeholders from participation in standards-setting bodies. The term "not trusted" is determined by various external bodies, which could introduce a lack of transparency and accountability. This reliance on entities like the Federal Acquisition Security Council or determinations made under Executive Order No. 13873 could lead to inconsistencies and potential unfair treatment.

Moreover, the bill does not specify how the Assistant Secretary will equitably encourage participation or offer technical expertise, creating concerns of uneven application and potential biases. Adding to this, the Assistant Secretary's authority in determining the trustworthiness of companies is not well defined, which could lead to inconsistent evaluations of national security threats.

The absence of a follow-up mechanism to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the bill's measures raises concern. Without such assessments, the intended goal of strengthening U.S. leadership in communication standards could fall short.

Impact on the Public Broadly

For the public, this bill aims to maintain and enhance U.S. leadership in setting global standards for communications technology, ensuring American competitiveness in the rapidly evolving 5G network landscape and beyond. Such efforts could potentially bolster the nation's economy by ensuring that U.S.-led technologies and standards are adopted worldwide, maintaining the technological edge and potentially fostering innovation and job creation across the nation.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For U.S.-based companies involved in communications technology, the bill could open doors for greater international influence and lead to increased collaboration with global standards bodies. However, the lack of specificity regarding the criteria for trustworthiness might lead to uncertainty for some businesses, particularly those impacted by the “not trusted” designation.

Conversely, foreign companies or those with supply chains involving foreign entities might view the bill with concern due to the possibility of being classified as “not trusted,” potentially limiting their participation and influence in standards-setting processes.

In summary, while the bill aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in global communications technology standards, the vague criteria for exclusion and the lack of specific guidance could introduce challenges that need careful consideration and possibly further legislative refinement to ensure equitable and effective implementation.