Global Alignment on 5G and 6G. In response to the Presidential Memorandum, “Winning the 6G Race,” leaders in Washington initiated intensive work on:
- Spectrum reallocation;
- Industry consultation; and
- Federal coordination for the World Radio Conference 2027 (WRC-27), to be held next fall in Shanghai.
All these efforts signal growing understanding of the need for proactive alignment on 5G Advanced and 6G development in global standardization bodies, including the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Domestic Priorities. Congressional leaders across both houses held hearings examining:
- The public safety communications infrastructure, including on FirstNet, next-generation 911, and network resiliency;
- The rise of new cybersecurity threats in the context of advanced technologies;
- The oversight and coordination of agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Build America. In addition to testifying at a Congressional hearing, FCC leaders have advanced a robust Build America agenda centered around accelerating the communications infrastructure buildout. In response to this and other intiatives, ATIS and its committees have provided input to a variety of proceedings in 2026, including:
- Know Your Upstream Provider [STI-GA, IP-NNI, INC Input Forthcoming]. Comments in Response to FCC FNPRM re: Know Your Upstream Provider Requirements. Also Comments by ATIS’ IP-NNI and Comments by the STI-GA on this topic.
- Combatting Illegal Robocalls Through FCC Numbering Policies | Comments | Reply Comments. INC
- Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls | INC Reply Comments | IP-NNI Reply Comments
- Numbering Policies for Modern Communications. INC.
- Accelerating Network Modernization. SNAC
- Advancing IP Interconnection | Comments | Reply Comments. IP-NNI.
- Resilient Networks and Disruptions to Communications | Reply Comments | Petition. NRSC
UAVs. ATIS also supplied input to proceedings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the designation of Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs) near fixed site facilities. This included comment on universal secure electronic conspicuity, ISAC-enabled airspace awareness, and the unique position of the network to act as an underlying layer for UAFR access management and enforcement support.
ATIS continues to work with its federal partners to reduce regulatory barriers and overly burdensome requirements placed on service providers. A favorable regulatory environment will enable the innovation required for the coming 6G era. BY UAV Group.
View the full ATIS Public Policy Filings Section.
Looking Ahead
With major changes expected in Congress after the midterm elections in November 2026, next year is projected to be pivotal for telecommunications policy. At home, new Congressional members must quickly acquaint themselves with the critical issues facing the wireless industry and the demands of achieving leadership in 5G and 6G. The FCC and NTIA are projected to continue their work to provide a favorable domestic regulatory environment. ATIS stands ready to provide expert resources and connections within industry and academia to inform policymakers’ work.
ATIS also continues its active support of international initiatives, including the Global Coalition on Telecommunications (GCOT) Security and Resilience Principles for 6G and the Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security, spearheaded by NTIA. [LINK TO CSIS EVENT?]
These initiatives bring attention to the criticality of a strong U.S. and allied strategy for engagement in global 6G standardization processes at 3GPP and the ITU; the decisions made now define the future economic success of the 6G stack.
ATIS and its Next G Alliance are committed to engaging globally to enable standards development processes that are open, interoperable, industry-led, and contribution-driven.