H.R. 2037 · Passed House · Science, Technology, Communications

Open RAN Outreach Act

Sponsor: Troy A. Carter (D-LA)

What it does

• Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct outreach and technical assistance for small communications providers on Open Radio Access Network standards.
• Covers the benefits, uses, and challenges of Open RAN and other open network architectures.
• Requires outreach and assistance on participating in the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, a competitive grant program that supports Open RAN adoption.

Official summary

Open RAN Outreach Act 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.

Latest action

Jul 15, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation