Senate Bill
John Wright Hickenlooper
Senator
Cosponsors
3
Policy Area
Summary
This bill requires the FCC to report every two years on how network equipment availability affects broadband deployment. The reports would be included in the FCCs regular assessments of the communications marketplace and made public.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires the FCC to report every two years on how network equipment availability affects broadband deployment. The reports would be included in the FCCs regular assessments of the communications marketplace and made public.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Network Equipment Transparency Act or the NET Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report biennially on the impact of network equipment availability on the deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities (i.e., broadband). This assessment must be included in the FCC’s reports on the state of the communications marketplace, which are submitted to Congress and published publicly every other year. </p>
Main provisions of the bill
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Policymakers would have better data on whether network equipment shortages or supply chain issues are slowing broadband expansion. This became particularly relevant after COVID-era chip shortages and concerns about reliance on foreign equipment manufacturers.
Primary Policy Area
Related Subjects
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
503, 119th Congress (2025). "NET Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-503