Bill Overview
Title: Promoting United States International Leadership in 5G Act of 2021
Description: This bill requires actions to increase U.S. influence in international organizations that develop and set standards for wireless telecommunications, such as fifth-generation (5G) technology, and to address the role of China's government in such standards-setting organizations. (Such organizations, with the involvement of stakeholders such as equipment manufacturers, develop and set standards for certain technologies to ensure interoperability between different companies' products.) The President must establish an interagency working group to work with allies and international partners to increase and align their engagement in standards-setting organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union, that address standards and issues pertaining to communications networks, including 5G technology. The Department of State must, in coordination with the working group, develop and implement a strategy to work with allies and partners and monitor efforts by China's government (and affiliated entities) to control or influence such organizations. The working group must provide a briefing to Congress on (1) a strategy for diplomatic engagement with allies and partners to cooperate on addressing security risks in 5G and future generation mobile telecommunications systems, and (2) the presence and activities of China's government in international standards-setting organizations.
Sponsors: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on 5G wireless telecommunications standards globally
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill directly deals with international 5G wireless telecommunications standards and the U.S.'s influence in those organizations.
- Standards for 5G technology impact mobile network operators, equipment manufacturers, and technology companies globally as they ensure product interoperability.
- Governments and policymakers around the world are involved since these standards impact global telecommunications infrastructure and security.
- Consumers who use 5G technology will indirectly be impacted as they rely on these standards to ensure their devices function properly.
- National security experts and international relations professionals concerned with technology dominance and global security standards will have stakes in these legislative outcomes.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts individuals and organizations directly involved in the telecommunications industry, such as engineers, policy makers, and international business executives. Their wellbeing scores might change due to job security, international influence, and economic benefits resulting from stronger leadership in 5G standards.
- General consumers may not perceive immediate impacts as the changes in international policies and standards can be abstract. Most Americans might not directly see changes in their day-to-day lives but could experience indirect long-term benefits, such as improved network services and security features.
- Certain groups such as national security experts and technology professionals might experience an increase in their sense of wellbeing due to perceived enhancement in national security and industry competence.
- People in rural or underdeveloped areas who still lack access to 5G may not experience any direct short-term impact from this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Telecommunications Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The U.S. taking a lead in 5G standards is crucial for our industry.
- This policy could open more international projects and collaborations for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having stronger U.S. influence in 5G standards means more opportunities for innovation.
- It makes me more optimistic about job stability in the tech industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
National Security Advisor (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential to counter China's influence in global 5G technology.
- It aligns with our goals of safeguarding national security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy will help U.S. businesses and graduates entering the field to have a more positive outlook.
- Positions related to 5G could become more lucrative with more international presence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am supportive of measures that engage globally in 5G standards setting.
- Monitoring China's activities is a strategic move, but requires delicate diplomacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could indirectly enhance the quality of devices we sell, but it's a bit abstract for someone in my position.
- I'm more concerned about consumer purchasing power.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Unemployed (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these used to be part of my professional focus, so I still follow them.
- Could provide some peace of mind regarding the future security of our networks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Tech Journalist (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The emphasis on U.S. participation in international standards is important for industry coverage.
- It may create more content to cover as relations and regulations evolve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Consumer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I mostly care about how fast my internet and mobile network works.
- I hope the policies translate to better connectivity and prices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
International Relations Specialist (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could create more favorable conditions for U.S. companies internationally.
- Wish there was more clear information on how it would operate practically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $70000000 (Low: $56000000, High: $84000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $72000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Potential administrative and staffing costs for the interagency working group.
- Need for effective diplomatic engagement to align standards with international partners.
- Monitoring China's influence in standards-setting organizations requires substantial effort and resources.