New 'FREEDOM Act' Requires State Dept. to Assess Direct-to-Cell Tech for Internet Access in Iran

The newly proposed Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act—mercifully shortened to the FREEDOM Act—is essentially a mandate for a highly detailed, technologically focused foreign policy report. It doesn't change any laws or impose new regulations directly on citizens, but it sets the stage for future policy by demanding a deep dive into how to bypass internet censorship overseas.

The Mandate: Tech Strategy for Internet Freedom

This bill requires the Secretary of State to work with the FCC and the Department of the Treasury to produce a comprehensive report on internet freedom in Iran within 120 days of the bill becoming law. Think of this as a high-stakes homework assignment for the State Department, updating an existing strategy with a specific focus on cutting-edge communication tools. This isn't just a general overview; it’s a technical feasibility study.

Specifically, the report must assess the practicalities—the technical, regulatory, and security challenges—of using direct-to-cell wireless technologies to expand internet access in Iran. If you’ve heard of SpaceX’s Starlink or similar satellite-to-phone services, that's the kind of technology they’re talking about. The goal is to see if these systems can provide uncensored access to people living under heavy government control.

The Real-World Obstacles: Jammers and Drones

This isn't a simple 'can we do it?' question. The bill demands a realistic look at the countermeasures already in play. The report needs to analyze how things like drone-based platforms and signal jamming technologies could impact the security and resilience of these direct-to-cell networks. It’s a policy version of a tech-focused chess match: if we deploy this, how will the other side block it, and how can we counter that? This analysis is crucial because deploying high-tech solutions that can be easily jammed or targeted wouldn't just be a waste of resources—it could put users at risk.

Who Owns the Network?

Another key requirement is a detailed survey of the telecommunications providers already operating in Iran. The report must determine whether these providers are state-owned or state-controlled, and the extent of foreign investment. This is the part that connects the dots between tech and censorship. When a government controls the pipes, it controls the flow of information. Understanding the ownership structure helps policymakers figure out where the censorship levers are and how future technologies might bypass them. The final report will be submitted to Congress and is required to be unclassified, though it can include a classified annex for sensitive details.