President Donald Trump is all set to fast-track the launch of 5G network service, in order in a bid to stop the invasion of Chinese telecom businesses into the US. This push, seen by industry leaders as a national security policy as much as a tech policy, is an effort to build out America’s wireless infrastructure without Chinese infiltration.
Telecomm giant, AT&T, has been working on developing this new technology, announcing that, “Industry standards have been set, trials have been underway since 2016, and later this year AT&T is set to be the first to launch mobile 5G service in 12 US locations.”
The goal is to build out this high-tech infrastructure in just three years, and there are two ways this ambitious goal can be met. The first option states that the United States can invest in a private infrastructure to build a single network, without third-party intervention. Their second option is to hire wireless providers to build the first 5G network that will offer service without interruption and a secure digital platform (free of Chinese interference and spying) for US companies. The initial plan is set to launch the service in 12-states in the country with several more to follow.
The Trump administration argues that such breakthrough will be revolutionary, similar to “the 21st century equivalent of the Eisenhower National Highway System.”
According to a PowerPoint presentation by Axios, China has achieved a dominant position in the manufacture and operation of network infrastructure,”
Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: “the Chinese government strictly prohibits and severely cracks down on all forms of cyber attacks.” She further added that “We think the international community should strengthen dialogues and cooperation to face up to cyber threats and maintain cyber peace and security based on mutual respect and trust,”
A document released by Axios mentioned that China “has achieved a dominant position in the manufacture and operation of network infrastructure” and it’s “the dominant malicious actor in the Information Domain.”
A senior official from Trump administration reported to Reuters that “We want to build a network so the Chinese can’t listen to your calls,” and further added that “We have to have a secure network that doesn’t allow bad actors to get in. We also have to ensure the Chinese don’t take over the market and put every non-5G network out of business.”
