Yesterday Axios reported that the Trump administration was looking into building a nationwide 5G internet network. This 5G network would be built as part of a national security effort to create a secure network for everything from self-driving cars to AI services.
The goal according to the documents is to have the network built in the next three years but exactly how that will happen is still being debated. Some are pushing for the government to build it similar to the National Highway System. Others are pushing for the government to team up with private companies to build the 5G network nationwide. The talks are still in the early stages, but it is looking like there is a serious effort here to have 5G network become the new backbone of the United States.
Now many companies are already working on a 5G network with AT&T, Charter, and Verizon all launching 5G networks with others promising to have national coverage by 2020. Now, this effort is far from guaranteed to happen as it has been reported that these talks are still early and at lower levels. This could mean that any decision on if this is a plan the United States wants to pursue is at least six months away.
This government-funded 5G network also comes as a growing list of companies already have 5G networks being built including Verizon, Google, Dish, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Charter, and more. That will raise the question if the current administration wants to jump in and try to take on a growing list of private companies who are already promising the same service. Well, a government-funded project may get completed sooner it will also likely limit competition as the companies currently building networks may not want to compete with a government funded service. With the current administration look for that to be a major consideration.
Would you like a government funded and/or managed system? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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