US President Donald Trump signed two bills into law on Monday that are designed to boost 5G security and broadband availability.
S 893, the “Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020,” requires the president to develop a strategy within 180 days of the law’s enactment to ensure the security of “next generation mobile telecommunications systems and infrastructure” in the US. The president must also develop a strategy to assist allies and partners in “maximizing the security of next generation mobile telecommunications systems and infrastructure.” This strategy must be submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.
S 1822, the “Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act or the Broadband DATA Act,” requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue rules about the collection of data, with respect to the availability of broadband services. The FCC is required to create a common dataset of all locations in the US where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed, focusing particularly on rural and insular areas. The commission will be required to submit a report to Congress within 12 to 18 months after the implementation of the act.