President Trump announced plans Friday to open up more of the U.S. airwave spectrum to 5G networks, saying America must win the race for high-speed wireless supremacy.
“We cannot allow any other country to out-compete the United States in this powerful industry of the future,” the president said in an event at the White House. “This is to me the future. It’s all about 5G now.”
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said the U.S. will hold a 5G spectrum auction on Dec. 10 to open up the amount of airwaves available to commercial wireless operators. It will be the largest spectrum auction in U.S. history.
“We want Americans to be the first to benefit from this revolution,” Mr. Pai said. “We don’t want rural Americans to be left behind.”
The administration plans to create a $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to expand networks over the next decade in regions lacking high-speed service.
“Obviously American dominance … is predicated on connectivity,” said presidential adviser Ivanka Trump.
5G stands for the fifth generation of wireless service that is being introduced by AT&T and Verizon in certain markets. Speeds are expected to be 100 times faster than 4G networks.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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