Brooks: U.S. government should ‘stay out of the way’ in constructing nationwide 5G network

U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) on April 3 introduced a bipartisan proposal to prevent the federal government from overseeing construction of a coast-to-coast fifth-generation (5G) cellular mobile communications network.

“As the co-founder and co-chair of the 5G Caucus, I understand how important it is for our laws to support this kind of innovation, but the federal government should not infringe upon the deployment of 5G communications networks in the process,” Rep. Brooks said on Wednesday. “Government’s role in the race to 5G is to cut regulatory barriers and help establish a spectrum pipeline, but beyond that, the government should stay out of the way.” 

The congresswoman cosponsored the E-FRONTIER Act, H.R. 2063, with lead bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) to support the expertise of the private sector in leading mobile broadband expansion in the United States.

“Private investment in broadband infrastructure, competition and right-sized government involvement have made America leaders in innovation,” said Rep. Cárdenas on April 3. “I am proud today to introduce the bipartisan E-FRONTIER Act, which prevents administration attempts to nationalize our broadband network and would compromise the balance of the private sector and public involvement.” 

Rep. Brooks added that the U.S. government should allow the expertise and knowledge of industry leaders to oversee “shaping the internet’s capabilities, development and deployment so we can continue to allow the internet to transform the way we live.” 

If enacted, the legislation would prohibit the president or a federal agency from constructing, operating or offering wholesale or retail services on broadband networks without authorization from Congress, according to the congressional record.

“The United States led the way in 3G and 4G and it is critical that we win the race to 5G as it will create jobs for Americans across the country, boost our economy and provide a new generation of connectivity that will support our increasingly connected world,” said Rep. Brooks, who noted that Indianapolis is a 5G test site.

H.R. 2063 is the U.S. House companion bill to the same-named S. 918, introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 27 by U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

H.R. 2063 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, while S. 918 is being reviewed by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.