- The report argues that advanced networks are becoming foundational infrastructure for economic growth and national security as connectivity converges with computing, sensing, and artificial intelligence capabilities.
- SCSP assesses that the United States lacks major producers of end-to-end telecommunications solutions and has no national-level strategy to harness networks for economic, social, and security objectives.
- The report states that the PRC has taken a commanding position in telecommunications equipment production and 5G deployment, while U.S. policy actions have slowed but not stopped Huawei’s global 5G expansion.
- The plan identifies U.S. advantages in cloud, software, space technologies, fiber optic and subsea cables, and innovation capacity as assets for reasserting leadership in advanced networks.
- SCSP recommends creating conditions for network technology moonshots, including pervasive interoperable connectivity, free space optical networks, open network architectures, and U.S. leadership in 6G development and use cases.
SCSP’s May 2023 action plan provides a policy roadmap for U.S. leadership in advanced wired and wireless networks through 2030, focusing on national security, economic competitiveness, and democratic technology governance. Drawing on expertise from the private sector, academia, and government, the report argues that advanced networks increasingly combine connectivity with computing, sensing, and artificial intelligence capabilities and will underpin autonomy, robotics, smart communities, logistics, and other applications. It assesses that the United States no longer has major end-to-end telecommunications equipment producers, faces a stalled spectrum pipeline, and confronts PRC leadership in telecommunications equipment production, 5G deployment, and standards influence. At the same time, it identifies U.S. strengths in cloud, software, space technologies, fiber optic and subsea cables, and a diverse innovation ecosystem. The plan organizes recommendations around four pillars: network technology moonshots, secure and resilient supply chains, network applications for economic and social benefit, and global exports and standards. Proposed actions include national work on pervasive connectivity, free space optical networks, open network ecosystems, 6G leadership, trusted procurement, Open RAN certification, spectrum reform, advanced network incubators, export financing, and allied standards coordination.
Advanced wired and wireless networks form the backbone of the digital economy and the modern world.
SCSP
- Catalyze New Production. The U.S. government should catalyze domestic and friendshored production of key network core, RAN, IoT, and satellite components.
- Create a Trusted Market. Use government procurement to create stable, consistent markets for trusted wireless components and large network deployments.
- Fully Fund, Update, and Execute the Rip and Replace Program. Fully support U.S. network operators to complete replacement of untrusted components from U.S. networks.
- Scale Open RAN Interoperability and Certification. Create standards and identify labs to verify interoperability and security of components and software applications.
Published by the Special Competitive Studies Project. Co-publishers and external authors, where they exist, are credited in the byline above.