H.R. 2037 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Jul 14, 2025. Received Jul 15, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryHelps small telecom providers learn about Open RAN
This bill asks the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to teach small communications network providers about Open RAN—a newer approach to building phone networks that uses equipment from different companies that can work together. The NTIA would also help these smaller providers understand how to apply for grants from a government program that funds Open RAN development and adoption.
How it affects you
If you work at or own a small communications company, this means you'd get direct help learning whether Open RAN could benefit your business and how to access funding for it. For most other people, this is behind-the-scenes support that could eventually lead to more options in how telecom networks are built.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 11, 2025)
Open RAN Outreach Act
This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers regarding the benefits, uses, and challenges of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) standards and other open network architectures. (Open RAN is a nonproprietary, standardized network deployment approach that promotes open networks with interoperable equipment and virtualized network operations.)
The NTIA must also conduct outreach and provide assistance to small providers regarding participation in the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, a competitive grant program that funds efforts to accelerate the development, deployment, and adoption of Open RAN.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2037
AN ACT
Open RAN Outreach Act
Sponsor: Rep. Troy A. Carter (D-LA-2) · Introduced Mar 11, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 15, 2025: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”