House advances three bills to improve 5G security

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced three bills this week that seek to improve 5G security in the country.

One of the bills is the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2019 (H.R. 2881), introduced by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Susan Brooks (R-IN). This bill requires the president to develop a “Secure Next Generation Mobile Communications Strategy” with the heads of the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense. It then requires the president to develop an implementation plan for the strategy for the NTIA to carry out. It was approved 413-3.

Another is the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2019 (H.R. 4500), introduced by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This legislation directs NTIA to encourage participation by American companies and other stakeholders in setting 5G standards. It passed by voice vote.

The third is H. Res. 575 stats that all stakeholders in the deployment of 5G communications infrastructure should adhere to the recommendation of the Prague Proposals – an international cybersecurity framework. The resolution also encourages the president and federal agencies to promote trade and security policies on the international stage that are consistent with the Prague Proposals. The bill – introduced by Reps. Bill Flores (R-TX) and Darren Soto (D-FL) — also passed by voice vote.

All three bills originated and advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“The House continues to pass legislation that will help keep the American people safe. The whole-of-government approach of the Secure 5G and Beyond Act will force the Trump Administration to get serious about protecting Americans as 5G services are deployed,” Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) said in a statement. “The timing is particularly important given the increased risk of cyberattacks arising from the conflict with Iran. All three of these bills are important for securing America’s wireless future, and we hope they won’t languish in the Senate.”

The bills now move to the Senate for consideration.