US unveils plans to speed up 5G wireless deployment

WASHINGTON: US officials unveiled plans to accelerate deployment of 5G wireless networks, including new funding to bring the ultrafast systems to remote rural areas. At a White House event, the Federal Communications Commission announced new spectrum auctions for 5G systems and said a $20.4 billion fund would be established to help build high-speed broadband networks in rural areas over the next decade. The new 5G networks “will improve Americans’ lives in so many ways,” said FCC chairman Ajit Pai. The announcement comes amid an intense race by countries around the world to deploy the technology offering wireless speeds 10 to 100 times faster than currently available. Earlier this month, South Korea launched what it said was the first nationwide 5G network while US carriers rolled out 5G in some locations. China is also moving quickly on 5G.  

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2019.

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