H.R. 8520 would authorize the Department of State and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to provide diplomatic and technical support to countries that are working to secure their telecommunications infrastructure. USTDA offers feasibility studies, technical assistance, and other support in the early stages of infrastructure projects, including telecommunications projects such as building 5G networks.
H.R. 8520 also would require the department to report to the Congress on telecommunications equipment and services produced entities owned or controlled by the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation that are being used by U.S. embassies and U.S. allies. It also would require public companies to report annually to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on their use of such equipment or services.
