USA 6G Global Leadership Act

This bill requires the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy to take on additional duties coordinating U.S. diplomatic efforts ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference and the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, and includes provisions for project assistance and a strategy for 6G technology dominance.

Sec. 3, Ambassador at Large responsibilities at ITU conferences: The Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy must coordinate and lead U.S. diplomatic efforts ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. Duties include coordinating across federal departments to promote U.S.-aligned candidates for ITU leadership, consulting with private sector entities, providing quarterly briefings to Congress, advancing U.S. interests at the 2027 conference, conducting diplomatic outreach, and other duties prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State must also submit a report within 90 days on efforts by China and Russia to leverage the ITU to constrain digital freedom, expand the ITU's mandate to internet governance, influence developing countries, and use ITU nationals to advantage their interests. These authorities expire after the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.

Sec. 4, Project assistance: The Secretary of State, in coordination with the International Development Finance Corporation and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, should carry out projects to assert U.S. global leadership in telecommunications infrastructure. Priority must be given to projects that promote connectivity and use of trusted vendors in developing countries, and that use technology from U.S. companies or, if unavailable, from companies in allied countries. Support may include early-stage project development, development loans, direct investments, or other appropriate types. A report on these projects is due to Congress within one year.

Sec. 5, 6G technology dominance strategy: Within 90 days, the Secretary of State must submit a report to specified congressional committees detailing the U.S. strategy to promote and dominate 6G technology globally. The report must include actions to deepen cooperation with like-minded countries for market leadership in 6G, efforts to coordinate with federal agencies and private sector entities on diplomatic engagements at standard-setting bodies, and the effects of competition in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, including low-earth orbit satellites, on ensuring the U.S. remains the partner of choice in 6G infrastructure. The report may be unclassified with a classified annex.