Outreach and technical assistance to small providers regarding Open RAN networks

(a) In general The Assistant Secretary shall conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small communications network providers— (1) to raise awareness regarding the uses, benefits, and challenges of Open RAN networks and other open network architectures; and (2) regarding participation in the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program established under section 9202(a)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283). (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the head of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth. (2) Open network architecture The term open network architecture means Open RAN networks and other network elements that follow a set of published open standards for multi-vendor network equipment interoperability, including open core and open transport. (3) Open RAN network The term Open RAN network means a wireless network that follows the Open Radio Access Network architecture and published open standards for multi-vendor network equipment interoperability.