The United States, with quick moves by government officials and telecommunications carriers, has moved to the front of the global 5G race, according to reports.
The wireless industry association CTIA released a report that said the US, in terms of readiness, deployments and spectrum allocation, is leading the transition to the new telecommunications standard. However, it does struggle in two areas: mid-band spectrum and national strategy.
Governments around the world are hurrying to deploy the technology, which is considered the next generation of wireless network standards. By the latter part of 2019, the US should have 92 commercial 5G deployments, versus south Korea’s 48, 16 in the U.K. and none in China.
The US rose from third to first in the ranks due to “quick action and visionary leadership” from policy makers, as well as the slashing of regulations and laws preventing the technology from moving forward.
Spectrum allocation, however, is a different issue. While the US leads the globe in low- and high-band spectrum allocation, which isn’t as fast but does have longer distance, the country is in the bottom for mid-band spectrum.
The US hasn’t allocated any mid-band spectrum to 5G, while Spain has allocated 360MHz and other countries like Italy, China and South Korea are slightly behind that.
However, the US has made a sharing agreement that will let carriers use some spectrum controlled by the Navy, but that means manufacturers won’t be able to sell American devices that specifically rely on mid-band frequencies.
The CTIA has made some recommendations for a national spectrum strategy for the States, including five years of auctions to allow for carriers to have more spectrum, more modern government policies for the optimization of spectrum, free market use and more competitive approaches toward handling security.
The FCC is in the process of auctioning more millimeter wave spectrum, and has been actively trying to reduce policy roadblocks to facilitate deployment. Also, lawmakers recently introduced a wireless security bill that would favor free market competition.
Full Content: PYMNTS
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
T-Mobile’s Acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation Receives FCC Approval
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
UK Regulator Announces Two New Senior Executive Appointments
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
Paramount Global and Skydance Media Near Merger Deal, Eyeing CEO Change
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
BHP Unveils £31bn Mining Megamerger Proposal with Anglo American
Apr 25, 2024 by
nhoch@pymnts.com
ByteDance Prefers Shutdown Over Sale of TikTok Amid US Ban Threats
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI