Today the U.S. Senate voted to pass the United States Innovation and Competition Act. Below is a statement from Open RAN Policy Coalition Executive Director Diane Rinaldo:
“The Open RAN Policy Coalition applauds the U.S. Senate for its passage of the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), legislation that recognizes the importance of Open RAN in establishing supply chain resiliency and supporting innovation. 5G supply chain security has implications not only for telecom policy, but also for economic policy and economic security.
Provisions in the USICA allowing for the creation of a $1.5 billion Public Wireless Innovation Fund and $500 million for a joint semiconductor and Open RAN multilateral program, both originally authorized as part of the USA Telecommunications Act, will help bolster advanced wireless networks and future-proof our telecommunications systems.
We would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Todd Young for their leadership in sponsoring this important legislation, and Senator Mark Warner and Senator Marco Rubio, who have been tireless advocates for Open RAN as part of a supply chain that is diverse, competitive and secure.”