This legislation, known as the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act, addresses significant concerns regarding the national security implications of telecommunications equipment and services provided by certain entities. It emphasizes that the security of U.S. allies and partners directly impacts U.S. national security, identifying mobile and internet services as potential tools for malign influence and economic coercion. Specifically, the bill expresses a Sense of Congress that entities like Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation should not serve as vendors due to their close ties to the People's Republic of China. The Act mandates the Secretary of State to submit annual reports for two years on the prevalence of untrusted telecommunications equipment or services in the 5G networks of U.S. allies and partners with collective defense agreements. These reports must detail the presence of such equipment, identify mobile carriers using it, determine its location within the network (core or periphery), and outline any plans for its replacement. Additionally, the Secretary of State must report on the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services in U.S. embassies, assessing compliance with existing prohibitions and the potential for foreign intelligence access to staff devices. To counter these threats, the bill directs the Secretary of State to provide diplomatic and political support for telecommunications infrastructure projects that promote U.S. national security. The United States Trade and Development Agency is also encouraged to offer early-stage project support for these selected initiatives, thereby fostering the global adoption of trusted telecommunications solutions.
This legislation, known as the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act, addresses significant concerns regarding the national security implications of telecommunications equipment and services provided by certain entities. It emphasizes that the security of U.S. allies and partners directly impacts U.S. national security, identifying mobile and internet services as potential tools for malign influence and economic coercion. Specifically, the bill expresses a Sense of Congress that entities like Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation should not serve as vendors due to their close ties to the People's Republic of China. The Act mandates the Secretary of State to submit annual reports for two years on the prevalence of untrusted telecommunications equipment or services in the 5G networks of U.S. allies and partners with collective defense agreements. These reports must detail the presence of such equipment, identify mobile carriers using it, determine its location within the network (core or periphery), and outline any plans for its replacement. Additionally, the Secretary of State must report on the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services in U.S. embassies, assessing compliance with existing prohibitions and the potential for foreign intelligence access to staff devices. To counter these threats, the bill directs the Secretary of State to provide diplomatic and political support for telecommunications infrastructure projects that promote U.S. national security. The United States Trade and Development Agency is also encouraged to offer early-stage project support for these selected initiatives, thereby fostering the global adoption of trusted telecommunications solutions.