Executive Summary
- 5G refers to the fifth generation of cellular broadband network technologies and will include higher speeds for downloads and lower latency—both of which will be needed to power the technologies of the future, such as telehealth and autonomous cars.
- There are clear economic benefits to the United States’ leadership in the implementation of 5G; there are also significant security advantages—ensuring that U.S. 5G technology remains competitive will reduce allies’ reliance on Chinese government-supported firms, such as Huawei or ZTE, thus reducing those systems’ vulnerability to decryption.
- The widespread adoption of 5G has faced multiple hurdles, but lessons from the deployment of 4G networks and America’s leadership in that process can shed light on strategies to facilitate deployment.
Introduction
The importance of a robust internet infrastructure has never been clearer. This is true not only for the increasing demands and uses of our current technologies, but for a wide array of emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things and autonomous vehicles. Widespread deployment of 5G mobile networks will be needed to provide the high-speed, low-latency connectivity these emerging technologies require. Policymakers on both sides have emphasized the importance of “winning the race to 5G,” but what, exactly, does that mean and why is it important?
After the introduction of 4G-capable phones in 2010, it took around 18 months for users to gain access to network speeds that were significantly superior to those of previous technology. Today, more than two years after 5G’s launch, network speeds using 5G technology have not yet presented a significant speed upgrade over 4G. Estimates of when high-speed 5G will see widespread adoption – usually defined as two-thirds of the population — vary from late 2021 to late 2023.
This piece examines the foundational questions regarding 5G, why it’s important for the United States to lead in 5G implementation, and how policies can help or hinder 5G development and deployment.
What Is 5G and Why Do We Need It?
5G refers to the fifth generation of cellular broadband network technologies. Over the last few years, companies have deployed this technology in the United States and around the world. As with prior generations, improvements in this technology significantly benefit both current consumers and emerging technologies.
The advantages of 5G include higher download speeds and greater bandwidth in comparison to the fourth-generation network technologies still used by most of the world. For consumers, the faster download speeds make it easier to share videos or use data-intensive applications with less of …….
Source: https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/the-road-to-5g-a-primer/