Sens. Cruz, Cortez Masto Announce Intention to Reintroduce Bipartisan E-FRONTIER Act

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and I issued the following statements announcing our intention to reintroduce the bipartisan E-FRONTIER Act in the coming weeks, which would protect commercial 5G broadband networks from nationalization. 

There is no question that our American system of free enterprise has been instrumental in establishing the United States as the global leader in mobile broadband technology since 2009. If we are to remain the global telecommunications leader and compete with China, the private sector must continue to build, deploy, and secure 5G networks moving forward. Any proposals that consider nationalizing these networks or rely upon the heavy-hand of the U.S. government in picking winners and losers is certain to have a chilling effect on private investment, and result in a radical shift in the management of our nation’s telecommunication’s networks. That’s why I intend to reintroduce my bipartisan E-FRONTIER Act in the coming weeks. If adopted, the E-FRONTIER Act will prevent massive government overreach in the private sector, and maintain Congress’ important role in the decision making process. I urge my colleagues to swiftly take up and pass this bill, so that we can eliminate uncertainty and maintain our country’s strength and leadership in mobile broadband technology and innovation.

“Nationalizing America’s broadband network would undermine our global competitiveness by ending private investments that have fueled innovation in our country,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “We must strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors. Congress has a role in fostering those partnerships to ensure America’s 5G network is securely operated and that it serves all of our urban and rural communities.”

Sen. Cortez Masto and I continue to be leading advocates against the nationalization of 5G networks. Last February, we penned a letter to administration officials, saying, “that any proposals that consider nationalizing these [5G] networks will only have a chilling effect on private investment and result in a radical shift in the management of our nation’s telecommunication’s networks.” As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have also raised these concerns with in a hearing with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and in a hearing with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator David Redl, where Mr. Redl publicly rejected the effort to nationalize 5G.