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Chair urges robust U.S. engagement at WRC‑27, warns of Chinese influence
Summary
The chair opened a bipartisan subcommittee hearing on U.S. spectrum strategy, urging active U.S. participation at upcoming ITU meetings including WRC‑27 in Shanghai and warning that state-backed Chinese firms could shift global standards and customers away from American companies.
The chair opened a bipartisan subcommittee hearing examining strategies for the United States to lead the future of communications technology and urged active U.S. engagement in upcoming international meetings, saying ‘‘this subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA and the Federal Communications Commission, FCC,’’ and that both agencies are ‘‘integral to our nation’s spectrum management policies.’’
He described the International Telecommunication Union, the U.N. agency that coordinates global communications, and the World Radiocommunication Conference, which meets every four years to set technical rules and review international treaties. ‘‘WRC‑27 is expected to cover a variety of topics, including discussions to identify additional spectrum bands for International Mobile Telecommunications,’’ the chair said, and added the conference ‘‘will also feature a number of important agenda items related to the satellite services.’’
Highlighting satellite growth, the chair said U.S. companies have led innovations that support broadband and emergency communications. He cited Hurricane Helene in North Carolina as an example in which satellite service ‘‘was able to bridge the gap and keep first responders connected’’ after terrestrial systems were damaged.
Turning to geopolitical risks, the chair warned that China ‘‘wants to surpass the U.S. as the global technology leader’’ and that the Chinese Communist Party has ‘‘subsidized and stolen technology across a wide range of industries, including communications technologies.’’ He singled out CCP‑affiliated companies such as Huawei, saying they have exported equipment ‘‘giving support to the CCP’s espionage activities,’’ and cautioned that China’s role as host and chair of WRC‑27 in Shanghai could allow it ‘‘to steer these critical discussions.’’ The chair concluded by saying the U.S. should be ‘‘an active participant in all upcoming ITU engagements’’ and that he looked forward to hearing from witnesses about ‘‘what is at stake in these upcoming engagements and what success looks like for the United States.’’
No formal motions or votes were recorded during the opening statement; the hearing proceeded to witness testimony after the remarks.
