The conversation around next-generation wireless technology has moved rapidly from 5G to 6G, as US lawmakers emphasize the necessity for a proactive strategy to prevent foreign dominance in critical telecommunications infrastructure. Increasing concern about China’s ongoing influence, particularly through its technology giants like Huawei and ZTE, has driven congressional leaders to request more transparency from federal agencies about how America will compete internationally in 6G and secure its tech supply chains. Congressional scrutiny comes as costs and security risks of past decisions linger, with patches of US broadband still recovering from the rushed removal of Chinese-made hardware. Policymakers now face the challenge of learning from those experiences as they shape the nation’s approach to 6G and related supply chain policies. The continued lack of sufficient funding for the replacement of restricted equipment has left notable infrastructure gaps, raising questions about future preparedness as the global race for wireless dominance heats up.
Concerns over telecommunications supply chains have persisted for years, especially given extensive prior use of Huawei and ZTE products in US networks. US strategies around 5G security were previously criticized as being reactive, failing to anticipate China’s methods for influencing international standards. While initial regulatory pushback led to spending billions on hardware removal, funding shortages stymied efforts, leaving service gaps across rural America. Industry and academic voices have since focused on building resilient domestic alternatives, but challenges remain as Chinese companies continue to collaborate internationally, seeking stronger influence in upcoming 6G standard development and deployment.
What Are Lawmakers Requesting from Federal Agencies?
Congress has directly appealed to agencies like the Department of State and the Department of Commerce for clarity on their progress in uniting global coalitions to back US and allied technologies while restricting Chinese influence. Ranking committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi stressed the critical role of diplomacy in shaping global standards and practices, urging the government to learn from earlier missteps in the 5G transition.
“Diplomacy can, and must, play a key role in this strategy,”
Krishnamoorthi wrote in a letter to Secretary Marco Rubio, seeking specifics about efforts to advance American interests in global technology ecosystems.
How Did Previous Efforts Fall Short?
Earlier efforts to exclude Huawei and ZTE from US networks resulted in a regulatory response that lacked the necessary funding to fully replace their equipment, leading to coverage gaps for some communities. Krishnamoorthi reflected on these decisions, noting:
“We never came up with the resources to replace it, they ended up having to rip it out and now there are patches to the country without access to the type of broadband coverage that they deserve.”
The gap between policy direction and financial support has created challenges for both the industry and consumers, highlighting the importance of aligning funding with legislative mandates.
How Are International Partnerships Shaping 6G Progress?
The Biden administration has worked with several allied countries to create shared guidelines around developing “Secure, Open and Resilient by Design” 6G infrastructure, aiming to ensure technological alignment while reducing potential vulnerabilities. At the same time, US industry and academic stakeholders have emphasized the urgency of investing in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technologies and robust security frameworks—areas where they perceive vulnerabilities in current domestic and allied capabilities. Despite these efforts, Chinese companies like China Mobile and ZTE continue to build global partnerships, recently collaborating with European industry groups and hosting major 6G summits that draw international technical communities into their orbit.
International competition for wireless leadership is becoming increasingly complex, as tech policy, national security, and supply chain management intersect. As the US crafts its 6G strategy, leadership remains concerned about potential loopholes that foreign adversaries could exploit in areas extending beyond telecom, including AI, IoT devices, semiconductors, and industrial control software. Members of Congress warn that vulnerabilities in these domains could be exploited in ways that rival traditional military threats, stressing the urgency of strengthening domestic and allied capabilities while maintaining vigilant oversight of foreign lobbying efforts and standards-setting activity.
Careful examination of the current approach reveals several persistent concerns around the intersection of industry funding, legislative directives, and international cooperation. Developing a domestic telecommunications infrastructure resistant to foreign influence will require not only clear policy but sustainable investment and effective global outreach. Observers note that a focus on advanced, open, and secure frameworks could help bridge historic gaps and foster resilience, but immediate attention to funding and implementation challenges remains crucial. Stakeholders navigating these issues may find value in monitoring federal funding streams, public-private partnership opportunities, and the evolving landscape of international telecom alliances as the US positions itself for the competition ahead.
