Sec. 3. Internet freedom and censorship circumvention
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Section 5124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 ( 22 U.S.C. 8754a ) is amended— in subsection (a)(2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph
(A)and inserting paragraph
(1); and by adding at the end of subsection (a)(2) the following new subparagraphs: An assessment of the feasibility of using direct-to-cell wireless communications technologies to expand internet access for the people of Iran, including technical, regulatory, and security considerations. An analysis of how drone-based platforms, signal jamming technologies, and related countermeasures could impact the feasibility, security, economics, and resilience of such direct-to-cell wireless communications. A survey of terrestrial and non-terrestrial telecommunications service providers currently active in Iran, including— whether such providers are State-owned or State-controlled; the extent of foreign participation or investment in such providers; the implications of such ownership and control for communications freedom and censorship; and any other relevant information to assess the opportunities and risks associated with terrestrial and non-terrestrial communications technologies in Iran. . Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of the Treasury, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a periodic update described in paragraph
(4)of section 5124(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 ( 22 U.S.C. 8754a ) for the strategy required by that section, that includes the new matter added by the amendments made by paragraph
(1)of this Act. Section 5124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 ( Public Law 118–59 ), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended in subsection (b)(5)(A), by inserting and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 after 2026 . The Defense Innovation Unit (referred to in this section as the Unit ) shall support the development of low-cost, easily scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies to counter internet shutdowns or limitations on network in Iran to enable the Iranian population to overcome such restrictions. In carrying out paragraph (1), the Unit shall prioritize the following objectives: Identifying and supporting the development of technologies capable of overcoming internet blackouts and network disruptions imposed by Iran and facilitating internet and network access, including— low-Earth orbit satellite internet infrastructure; mesh networking solutions; and portable and deployable communication systems. Virtual private networks. Collaborating with industry, academia, and relevant stakeholders to accelerate the research, development, and deployment of such technologies. Conducting pilot programs and field experiments to test the effectiveness and scalability of technologies the development of which the Unit supported under this subsection in real-world settings. Providing technical assistance and resources to partner organizations, governments, and non-governmental entities engaged in efforts to expand internet access. Identifying and evaluating commercially available off-the-shelf items (as defined in section 104 of title 41, United States Code) that could be rapidly procured and deployed to address internet access challenges in targeted regions. The Unit shall collaborate with the Defense Acquisition University regarding the acquisition processes and practices related to carrying out the objectives under paragraph
(2)for the purposes of— integrating best practices in defense acquisition into the research, development, and deployment processes of technologies the development of which the Unit supports under this subsection to facilitate internet access; ensuring that technologies the development of which the Unit supports under this subsection align with the priorities and strategies of the Department of Defense for acquisition; providing training and educational opportunities for Unit personnel on acquisition principles, regulations, and procedures, with a focus on technology development for countering censorship and related restrictions; fostering dialogue and the exchange of knowledge between acquisition professionals and innovation specialists to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the acquisition of defense technology related to internet access technologies; and the Unit and the Defense Acquisition University collaborating on the development of acquisition strategies that prioritize the rapid acquisition and deployment of technologies aimed at countering censorship and restrictions on accessing the internet. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Unit shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional defense committees (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code) a report detailing the progress, challenges, and outcomes of the efforts undertaken pursuant to this subsection. There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to carry out the activities described in this subsection.
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