- President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum calling for a comprehensive government strategy to ensure there is sufficient spectrum to accommodate the introduction of 5G networks. The memorandum says the long-term strategy should include policy recommendations to increase spectrum access for all users. Flexible models for management and sharing among federal and non-federal stakeholders. The Commerce Department will provide yearly updates on the strategy.
- The memorandum, signed last Thursday, also calls for the creation of a Spectrum Strategy Task Force, including representatives from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, The National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, the National Space Council and the Council of Economic Advisers.
- The White House says it still wants the private sector to take the lead; adviser Michael Kratsios told reporters the administration “will prioritize efforts to accelerate the private sector’s development of 5G, so that the American people can reap the rewards of this incredible technology,” according to Reuters.
The White House still seems intent on fostering private development of 5G, despite reports earlier this year that national security aides in the administration were debating building a nationalized 5G network as a cybersecurity measure. It’s in line with comments made by National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow this month, that the administration preferred the “private enterprise, free market path” to deploying 5G.
Still, it’s clear a national strategy will help guide the market and find where the government can aid domestic development. Especially as countries including China and South Korea rush ahead to build their own 5G systems, reaping the technology benefits. Advocates in and out of the government have called on federal action to knock down barriers that could limit deployment. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), for example, has passed rules to streamline infrastructure deployment and limit fees that cities or other local governments could charge telecoms to install small cells (despite opposition from local governments).
Companies are already pressing ahead to get 5G in certain cities before the end of the year, with more expected in 2019.’
More on What is 5G Wireless Network?
The industry appears on board with the administration’s approach. In a statement, CTIA president and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker said that “with the right approach based on licensed wireless spectrum, America’s wireless carriers will invest hundreds of billions of dollars and create millions of jobs to deploy the next-generation networks and win the global 5G race.”
From notes on the FCC website it appears the FCC is trying to get more spectrum into the market. Therefore, more businesses can use it. It wants to get the 5G spectrum services to carriers that are mostly likely to deploy 5G networks in the US.
What is so special about 5G wireless network?
“Having 5G networks will open the door to new services and applications that will grow our economy and improve our standard of living,” Pai said at White House 5G Summit in September. “We’re working hard with other federal agencies to free up spectrum currently held by the federal government.”
Spectrum Auction
We’ve heard that AT&T has plans to begin their mobile 5G service in three US cities (Dallas Atlanta, and Waco City, TX) before the end of 2018. The FCC is trying to get more spectrum into the market so more businesses can make use of it. FCC wants to get the 5G spectrum to carriers that are more than likely to deploy them in the US.
FCC larger Spectrum Auctions into 2019
The FCC plans to conduct two rounds of spectrum auctions Wednesday, November 14, 2018. The FCC plans three rounds of auctions for Thursday, and more auctions will be planned until all licenses are sold. There’s an FCC spectrum auction for the 24GHz, involving 2,909 licenses coming up. The next spectrum auction however, will be scheduled afterward. We’ve read where auctions will be held for 37GHz, 39GHz and 49GHz spectrum bands later in mid 2019.
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