NTIA has released a notice seeking comment on the development and implementation of the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation, a $1.5 billion grant program tasked with supporting the promotion and deployment of open, interoperable, and standards-based radio access networks. This grant program, funded by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, makes a historic investment into U.S. leadership in the global telecommunications sector.
Among other issues, NTIA seeks comment on: (1) recommendations for the kinds of projects the program should support; (2) whether open RAN adoption and deployment differs between private and public networks; and (3) the criteria it should use in awarding grants under the program. Comments on this program are due January 27, 2023.
NTIA has also scheduled a virtual listening session to discuss the program on January 24, 2023, from 10am to 12:30pm EST.
