The House on Sept. 18 approved the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act by a vote of 393-22.
This bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to bring together industry leaders, public interest groups, and government experts to establish a 6G Task Force.
Reps. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, introduced the legislation in March 2023.
“We stand at a crossroads for the future of global innovation leadership – networks are converging, consumer demand is skyrocketing, and global competition is heating up. The economic and national security stakes in the race to 6G couldn’t be higher,” Rep. Matsui said in a statement. “For the United States to stay the gold standard in wireless communications technology, we need to look forward and convene our best and brightest innovators to map the road ahead.”
“The FUTURE Networks Act will accelerate us down this path, making a crucial down payment on American leadership by taking steps forward as this technology evolves,” she added. “I applaud my House colleagues for passing this important piece of legislation and urge the Senate to do the same.”
The FUTURE Networks Act would require the 6G Task Force to issue a report on:
- The role of standards-setting bodies in 6G;
- Possible use cases for 6G technology;
- Potential threats such as supply chain or cybersecurity; and
- Interagency coordination and promoting deployment.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., also applauded the passage of the bill, noting that it will advance U.S. innovation and “promote American advancements in 6G.”
The bipartisan legislation was previously introduced in the 117th Congress by Rep. Michael Doyle, D-Pa. It passed the House but stalled in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
