\tUS operators appeared set to receive a substantial infusion of government funds to fuel their 5G plans, but will have to wait until the end of the year to get their hands on a fresh tranche of mmWave spectrum deemed critical to winning a global race to deploy the next-generation tech.<\/p>\n
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai (pictured) unveiled plans to launch a new $20.4 billion subsidy programme to support broadband deployments in rural regions.<\/p>\n
Over the next decade, he said the\u00a0Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will distribute monies to help companies finance construction of new fibre infrastructure with the aim of connecting up to 4 million rural homes and laying a foundation for future 5G sites.<\/p>\n
Pai also announced a third mmWave auction, covering licences in the 37GHz; 39GHz; and 47GHz bands, will commence on 10 December. The proceeding will offer largest amount of spectrum (3,400MHz) ever auctioned at one time in the nation\u2019s history, following sales in the 24GHz [1] and 28GHz [2] bands held earlier in the year.<\/p>\n
He explained the moves form part of the FCC\u2019s so-called 5G Fast plan, to help the US beat China and other markets to the punch on the technology.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the moves, US President Donald Trump said the race to 5G is one “America must win.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: “5G networks must be secured, they must be strong\u2026they must also cover every community and they must be deployed as soon as possible.”<\/p>\n
Criticism
\nBut Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel blasted the FCC\u2019s focus on mmWave spectrum as impractical for widespread deployments and isolating on the world stage.<\/p>\n
In an FCC meeting, she said the US is \u201cincreasingly alone in our mission to make mmWave the core of our domestic 5G approach\u201d.<\/p>\n
Without a \u201cpivot to mid-band\u201d frequencies favoured elsewhere, she warned the US could lose its influence over the global supply chain: \u201cThis means less scale, higher cost, interoperability challenges and less security as other nations\u2019 technologies proliferate\u201d.<\/p>\n
Rosenworcel also sharply criticised the Trump adminsitration\u2019s 5G policies, stating in a Twitter post its interventions have \u201cdone more harm than good\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom imposing tariffs on 5G equipment, to alienating allies on 5G security, to falling behind the rest of the world on critical mid-band spectrum, it has yet to offer a workable plan for US leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/us-operators-go-large-on-mmwave-auction\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/us-completes-first-5g-auction\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US operators appeared set to receive a substantial infusion of government funds to fuel their …<\/p>\n
The post US pledges billions in fresh 5G push<\/a> appeared first on Mobile World Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n