Washington, October 9 (Daily Kiran) : Two U.S. senators have raised alarms regarding the potential for China to secure a strategic edge in establishing global regulations for 6G and satellite communications. They are urging the Trump administration to take immediate action before it’s too late.
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Republican Senator Jim Banks of Indiana have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to appoint a head for the U.S. delegation ahead of an important international telecommunications conference scheduled for next year. They stress that this appointment must occur before November 30, as regional discussions will commence in Bogotá, Colombia, on that date.
In a bipartisan letter released this week, the senators emphasized that the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) will set critical international regulations concerning the radio spectrum used in next-generation wireless networks and satellite communications. This significant event is set to take place in Shanghai, China, in October and November 2027, with participation from 194 member countries, including the U.S.
The senators warned that as the host country, China might leverage the conference to favor its domestic tech companies, particularly Huawei. They noted in their letter, “Being the host gives China a home-field advantage, allowing it to steer discussions in ways that could benefit the interests of the Chinese Communist Party and affiliated companies like Huawei.”
They argued that the U.S. needs to collaborate with its allies well in advance of the conference to formulate a strategy and prepare for negotiations. “A strong U.S. delegation, coordinated in advance with like-minded allies, will be the most effective response to the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party,” they stated.
The letter, dated September 29, highlights the urgent need to prioritize the appointment of the delegation leader. Gallego and Banks recalled issues from the preparations for the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, where a last-minute change in the delegation leadership wasted valuable time that could have been spent building regional partnerships.
According to the senators, previous delegation members indicated that such changes resulted in significant lost opportunities. They wrote, “We cannot afford to enter WRC-27 under similar circumstances.”
Decisions related to 6G technology are particularly crucial, as standards for the next generation of wireless technology are still being developed. The senators cautioned that proposals backed by Huawei could influence these standards before the U.S. and its partners can present a unified alternative.
They also referenced the rapid expansion of non-geostationary satellite networks, which underscores the importance of international coordination on radio spectrum use. While they acknowledged some steps taken by the administration, they called for more decisive action.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission have already submitted U.S. proposals to the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL). The U.S. plans to present its strategic positions at the upcoming CITEL Permanent Consultative Committee II meeting in Bogotá, starting on November 30. Gallego and Banks reiterated the need for the delegation leader to be appointed before this meeting to contribute to the official U.S. stance.
They also requested information on how the U.S. plans to develop reliable telecommunications supply chains in collaboration with international partners. The letter specifically mentions the need for alternatives to Huawei and other Chinese companies for countries in the Global South.
The senators have demanded a written response or briefing by October 23, along with a briefing on the U.S. strategy to counter China’s influence by spring 2027.
The World Radiocommunication Conference is organized by the International Telecommunication Union, a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates global telecommunications. Its decisions determine how countries will utilize radio frequencies for mobile networks, satellites, and other wireless services.
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