[ad_1]
Congress is reviewing the rules for managing the country’s electromagnetic spectrum resources so that it does not lag behind China in both 5G deployment and future 6G wireless technology.
The Federal Communications Commission’s authorization to auction and license spectrum expires in September. Commercial businesses use spectrum to provide consumers with access to services such as radio, television broadcasting, and wireless technology.
Spectrum auctions have raised $200 billion for the US government, and the Biden administration is concerned with how federal agencies coordinate spectrum policy, according to a note from Frank Pallone, chairman of the New Jersey Democrat House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“China reportedly provides commercial mobile providers with at least three times more midband spectrum compared to the US,” the note said.
The private sector also warns Congress that time is running out. Technology company Intel told lawmakers on Wednesday that failure to identify and make the spectrum available will cost the United States dearly.
“Unless we act fast now, the US will not be able to take the leadership role to help determine which spectrum ranges to use for 6G globally,” Jayne Stancavage, Intel’s global director of digital infrastructure policy, said in a House speech. Energy and Trade subcommittee session.
China is not wasting time. According to Mr. Pallone’s note, the country potentially provided commercial mobile providers with at least three times more midband spectrum than in the US.
5G competition has awakened federal policymakers to the competitive threat posed by China’s desire to win. Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner likened China’s current pursuit of high-tech development to the Soviet Union, which launched the first Sputnik satellite in the last century, sparking the space race.
Mr. Warner recently told the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Whether we get Huawei and 5G, even though there’s a shortage of chips, I think our generation has a Sputnik moment.” “I firmly believe that we need additional investment in fundamentals. [research and development]”
The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said in January they were forming a new Spectrum Coordination Initiative to do things like hold formal monthly meetings between agencies on spectrum planning.
Earlier this month, Republican Sens. Roger Wicker and John Thune of South Dakota wrote to the FCC to request an update on the commission’s work on spectrum auctions.
Potential problems loom in the rearview mirror as policymakers urgently work to address the challenges ahead in 5G and 6G. Mobile carriers are shutting down 3G networks this year, with AT&T shutting down last month and Verizon and T-Mobile shutting down 3G this year, according to the FCC.
Once the shutdowns are complete, the FCC said 3G cell phones and some older 4G cell phones won’t be able to send or receive calls and texts, including 911 calls. Other devices, such as some home security systems, tablets, and medical devices that use 3G, will also be affected.
The FCC encouraged people to contact their mobile providers with questions about their 3G plans, and said some devices may only require a software update.
[ad_2]
Source link