The Trade Agreements Act (TAA) of 1979 (19 U.S.C. § 2501-2581) requires federal entities to purchase products manufactured (or substantially transformed) within the United States (US) or other TAA-compliant countries. Because China, India, Russia, Vietnam, and Malaysia aren’t TAA-compliant, telecommunication equipment manufactured in these countries typically can’t be sold to the federal government through GSA Schedule contracts or other procurement methods.

This article discusses the top five reasons TAA compliance is crucial for vendors deploying or servicing private 5G networks, including bidding on federal contracts in the US and abroad, proactively addressing cybersecurity concerns, safeguarding supply chain management, meeting customer requirements, and amplifying positive brand recognition.

Reason #1: Bidding on Government Contracts in the US and Abroad

TAA compliance is essential for telecommunication vendors planning to work with any federal entity, such as the US Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State Department, and Veterans Administration (VA). Although mandated at the federal level, state, local, and education (SLED) facilities receiving federal funding may also consider TAA compliance a prerequisite for vendors.

Similarly, state and local police departments, public health departments, and transportation authorities may prioritize TAA compliance when procuring telecommunications equipment for private 5G networks, especially if federal funding is involved. Many of these government entities rely on the extensive coverage and high speeds private 5G networks deliver to support a wide range of use cases, including:

• Mission-critical mobile command centers for first responders
• Dedicated cross-campus communications
• Ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) in transportation hubs and medical facilities
• IoT cameras, sensors, and other monitoring equipment

The benefits of complying with TAA regulations extend well beyond doing business in the US. It allows vendors to bid on US government contracts or subcontracts abroad, creating new opportunities to sell private 5G network infrastructure and services to the DoD (military bases) and State Department (embassies and consulates).

Reason #2: Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns

Federal, state, and local governments are increasingly concerned about potential cybersecurity risks associated with telecommunications equipment. Government agencies, along with many private enterprises and public organizations, now implement a comprehensive approach to procurement that integrates cybersecurity considerations from the outset. This involves conducting thorough risk assessments to evaluate potential vulnerabilities, assessing the security implications of different architectures, and developing strategies to mitigate risks such as hidden backdoors, counterfeit processors, and unauthorized data access.

TAA compliance helps ensure private 5G networking equipment and related infrastructure is sourced, manufactured (or substantially transformed) in the US or a TAA-designated country. This includes:

• Radio access networks (RAN) and distributed antenna systems (DAS)
• Base station controllers
• Indoor and outdoor radios
• Core network servers, switches, routers, and adapters
• Surveillance cameras and IoT/ IIoT sensors
• User equipment (UE) and SIM cards
• Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Spectrum Access Systems (SAS)
• CBRS Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC)
• Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs)

Reason #3: Safeguarding Supply Chain Management

Telecommunication vendors closely monitor their supply chain to ensure components, processes, and suppliers meet TAA compliance. For equipment used in private 5G networks, this involves carefully vetting manufacturers, assembly facilities, and employees. Vendors typically prioritize trusted suppliers who track the entire lifecycle of individual components and finished products, from manufacturing to deployment and in-field maintenance.

For example, 5G radios contain PCBs, antennas, central processing units (CPUs), filters, and power amplifiers. These components are often sourced from multiple suppliers and assembled in one or more manufacturing facilities. The 5G radios are then shipped to customers by the manufacturer or value-added reseller (VAR), where they are installed by system integrators and maintained by internal or external IT departments or managed service providers (MSPs).

Reason #4: Meeting Customer Requirements

Manufacturers, system integrators, MSPs, and VARs must all ensure TAA compliance for each component or system, whether they are bidding on private 5G network government contracts as prime contractors or subcontractors.

For military deployments, this can include private 5G network equipment enabling tactical field operations, from drone flights and remote surveillance systems to mobile command centers. Private 5G networks also support static applications on military bases, such as dedicated communications networks with satellite and GPS links, signals intelligence (SIGINT) installations, and secure data centers. Similarly, private 5G networks in embassies provide secure, reliable communication channels critical for diplomatic operations.

Private 5G networks procured for federally regulated train stations, airports, cargo ports, and warehouses (through federal contracts or using federal funds) must comply with TAA regulations. Use cases in these crucial transportation hubs span automated cargo tracking systems, passenger screening technologies, secure communication channels for logistics management, and URLLC infrastructure monitoring.

Reason #5: Amplifying Positive Brand Recognition

TAA compliance highlights a clear commitment to US trade laws and cybersecurity. Both are particularly relevant for telecommunication vendors deploying private 5G networks, especially in government buildings, campuses, and bases. Notably, non-compliance with TAA regulations may result in severe consequences, including fines, criminal charges, and temporary or permanent suspension from government contracts.

Telecommunication vendors confirm TAA compliance by keeping accurate records of products sold to the government and their country of origin, including detailed manufacturing and shipping logs. Additionally, vendors maintain and update documentation detailing TAA compliance processes and procedures for employees, partners, and customers. These steps help avoid potential issues and provide necessary records for audits and inspections.

MosoNetworks: Ensuring Comprehensive TAA-Compliance for Private 5G Networks

MosoNetworks is a US-based company and all our 4G and 5G products are TAA compliant. For hardware, this covers Canopy indoor and outdoor radios, the Moso Connect 5G RedCap adapter, and the Moso Concord Smart Ethernet Switch. For cloud management software, this includes Moso Control and its integrated CBRS Domain Proxy Notably, MosoNetworks meticulously monitors and tracks its supply chain and manufacturing processes in Taiwan, a designated TAA-compliant country.