Bill Overview
Title: Next Generation Telecommunications Act
Description: This bill temporarily establishes the Next Generation Telecommunications Council to advise Congress on sixth generation (6G) and other advanced wireless communications technologies. Appointed members of the council may not have financial or personal interests in matters related to the council's duties. These duties include reviewing past actions related to advancing wireless communications deployment. Additionally, the council must develop a strategy with recommendations on how the federal government can support, for example, the adoption of 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies and the promotion of international cooperation with respect to those technologies. In developing the strategy, the council must consider issues including access to electromagnetic spectrum resources, workforce needs to support 6G deployment, and network security and resiliency. The council terminates 120 days after submitting a final report that contains the strategy. Within 60 days of receiving that report, the Department of Commerce must submit to Congress an assessment with comments on the report's findings and recommendations.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using advanced telecommunications technologies
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill is focused on advising Congress regarding advancements in telecommunications technology, specifically 6G.
- The development and adoption of 6G and other advanced telecommunications technologies are likely to impact telecommunications industries globally.
- This will also impact consumers, as they are the end-users who will benefit from enhanced network capabilities.
- Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide could be impacted as they may need to adapt policies and regulations related to these technologies.
- Universities and research institutions involved in technological advancements in telecommunications will also be affected as they might contribute to research and workforce development.
Reasoning
- The population most likely affected by this policy includes telecommunications professionals, consumers of advanced tech, and entities involved in tech regulation.
- The $5 million budget in the first year suggests a focus on research and reports rather than large-scale implementation.
- Advanced technology consumers and businesses will be key stakeholders in the potential impacts of this strategy.
- The policy impacts diverse groups differently: individuals in tech jobs might see direct effects, while consumers might see indirect effects through improved services.
- Cost constraints make immediate widespread deployment unlikely, meaning long-term effects are more speculative.
- The policy is intentionally temporary and advisory, with its major impact being through strategic guidance rather than direct action.
Simulated Interviews
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could catalyze the tech industry's growth and open new markets.
- Focus on international cooperation is crucial for global success in 6G.
- I am concerned about potential bureaucratic delays in deployment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Telecommunications Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act is a positive step forward for network engineers like me.
- Investing in workforce development is vital for 6G success.
- Current infrastructure might struggle to keep up without such policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Regulatory Expert (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This council will help align national policy with global standards.
- The lack of financial interests requirement should ensure objetivity.
- A concern is whether the council's advice will be actionable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this leads to better internet access for rural areas.
- I'm skeptical about seeing immediate benefits.
- Access to tech in rural regions should be a priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy presents a great opportunity for learning and innovation.
- Network security and resilience are critical issues that need more focus.
- This might create new career opportunities for my generation.
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 | 8 | 6 |
Entertainment Producer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adopting 6G could significantly enhance streaming capacities.
- Global cooperation is key to securing better technological innovations.
- I'm concerned about costs trickling down to consumers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired School Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maintaining security is essential as technology advances.
- I hope the policy supports affordable access for all.
- It might not directly impact me, but future generations will benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Delivery Driver (Columbus, OH)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better network could make my job easier and apps more reliable.
- Technological advancements should be evenly distributed.
- I hope this leads to better service availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Telecommunications Executive (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The council's recommendations could steer industry trends.
- Public and private sector collaboration is essential.
- I'm optimistic about long-term benefits but wary of short-term disruptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
University Professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy supports critical research areas in my field.
- It's essential to bridge gaps between academia and industry.
- I hope it leads to more funding for university research programs.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The council's work might create groundwork for significant future gains in telecommunications' efficiencies.
- Global competitiveness in telecommunications technology can benefit from strategic collaborations facilitated by the council.
- Budget uncertainties may arise regarding implementation of recommendations.