The "FUTURE Networks Act" establishes a 6G Task Force to explore and report on the development, potential uses, and deployment strategies for sixth-generation wireless technology in the U.S.
Doris Matsui
Representative
CA-7
The FUTURE Networks Act establishes a 6G Task Force to be appointed by the FCC Chair. This task force will include representatives from various sectors, excluding entities deemed "not trusted," and will focus on studying and reporting on the development, potential uses, and limitations of sixth-generation wireless technology. The goal is to develop strategies for collaboration across different levels of government to effectively leverage this technology. The task force will publish a report within one year of being established.
FCC Task Force Proposed to Map Out 6G Wireless Future; 'Not Trusted' Companies Excluded
Congress is looking ahead to the next leap in wireless technology with the FUTURE Networks Act, which proposes setting up a dedicated '6G Task Force' inside the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) within 120 days. This group's main job, as outlined in Section 2, is to study the landscape for sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks – think speeds and capabilities way beyond current 5G. They've got a year from their start date to deliver a report mapping out potential uses, technical hurdles, and strategies for getting federal, state, local, and tribal governments on the same page for deployment.
Charting the Course for 6G
So, what will this Task Force actually do? Their report needs to cover the technical standards being developed, the cool (and maybe slightly scary) ways 6G could be used, and what might hold it back. Crucially, they need to figure out how different levels of government can work together smoothly. Think about the headaches involved now with getting permits for new cell towers or laying fiber optic cable – the Task Force is supposed to come up with ways to streamline that for 6G deployment and adoption across the country. They'll release a draft report for public feedback after 180 days, giving folks a chance to weigh in before the final version lands on the FCC Chair's desk.
The 'Not Trusted' Filter
A key detail is who gets a seat at the table. The Task Force will include people from the communications industry, public interest groups or universities, and government officials. However, the bill explicitly excludes any company or group deemed 'not trusted' by the FCC Chair. What does 'not trusted' mean? The definition points directly to criteria in existing law (specifically 47 U.S.C. 1601(c)(1)-(4)), which flags entities controlled by foreign adversaries or posing a national security risk based on determinations from national security bodies or specific government lists. While aimed at protecting the network, this gives the FCC Chair significant gatekeeping power based on these external security assessments, potentially limiting the range of industry or academic voices involved in planning the future network infrastructure.
Why This Matters Now
While 6G is still years away from your phone, planning the groundwork now is critical. This Task Force is essentially drawing the blueprint. Their recommendations could influence everything from where new infrastructure gets built first, to the security standards baked into the network, and how quickly communities see the benefits of next-gen speeds and the technologies they enable. The focus on inter-governmental collaboration is key – getting everyone from federal agencies down to local zoning boards aligned could mean a smoother, faster rollout, or continued bottlenecks if they can't figure it out. This early planning stage, including who gets to participate, sets the direction for the wireless tech we'll all be using down the road.