Telecommunications: CRS Products

Telecommunications infrastructure and programs have a long history of congressional interest and present several issues for policymakers, including those related to fifth-generation (5G) and next-generation technologies, broadband deployment, emergency communications infrastructure, undersea cables, secure and trusted networks, and spectrum management. To help provide context for considering legislative proposals and questions about agency authorities, this report compiles a selection of CRS products on enacted and proposed legislation; agency authorities; court actions; and telecommunications-related policies, programs, and technologies. For an overview of telecommunications issues of potential interest to the 119th Congress, see CRS In Focus IF12955, Telecommunications and the 119th Congress: A Primer on Programs, Authorities, and Emerging Issues, coordinated by Colby Leigh Pechtol. Additional CRS products are grouped by title in the following categories. Products are included in one category, but they may include content that spans multiple categories. Select Agency Information—products about the three main agencies with telecommunications-related authorities: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Specific Telecommunications Programs or Provisions in Legislation—products that cover issues related to specific broadband programs or provisions in legislation. Telecommunications Technologies: 5G—products that cover 5G wireless technologies and use cases. Broadband—products that cover issues related to high-speed internet services, also known as broadband, and wired technologies such as fiber. Spectrum—products that cover issues related to the electromagnetic spectrum for communications technologies, such as radio and mobile networks. Robocalls—products that cover robocall technologies and anti-robocall initiatives. Undersea Cables—products that cover issues related to undersea, or submarine, telecommunications cables. Telecommunications Issues: Digital Divide—products that cover aspects related to the gap in broadband service between those who have access to broadband service and those who do not. Public Safety—products that cover emergency communications infrastructure, such as emergency alerts and 911. National Security—products that cover national security risks to communications equipment and systems. Net Neutrality—products that cover the net neutrality debate and associated legal and policy issues. Universal Service—products that cover programs that support the principle that all Americans should have access to communications services, including telephone and broadband services. Other Topics—products that cover telecommunications topics in categories other than those previously listed, such as tribal broadband, public broadcasting, radio, federal assistance programs, lead-sheathed cables, and decommissioning networks.