US President Donald Trump has ordered a review of the country's spectrum policy, in an effort to create a new national strategy ready for 5G. He directed the Secretary of Commerce to work with government agencies and policy makers on all levels to develop a National Spectrum Strategy in the next year.
The strategy will include an assessment of current and anticipated spectrum needs at federal agencies and the military, R&D priorities, an evaluation of spectrum management and a report on how new technologies are expected to affect spectrum supply. In addition to outlining a policy to guide government efforts going forward, the Secretary will report annually to the President on efforts to repurpose spectrum for more efficient and effective use. The White House will also set up its own Spectrum Strategy Task Force.White House officials said they do not support any effort to nationalize the 5G network, Reuters reports. A leaked document in January suggested the administration was considering the idea. "We will prioritize efforts to accelerate the private sector’s development of 5G, so that the American people can reap the rewards of this incredible technology," White House adviser Michael Kratsios told reporters.
Trump's memorandum was welcomed by the main mobile industry group CTIA. The group said the right approach to spectrum will lead to billions in investment by operators and the creation of millions of jobs to deploy next-generations networks and "win the global 5G race".
