CEO DATELINE — Telecom groups slam idea to nationalize part of wireless network
CEO DATELINE — Telecom groups slam idea to nationalize part of wireless network
- January 30, 2018 |
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WILLIAM EHART
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Two major trade associations oppose a plan under consideration by the Trump administration to nationalize part of the nation's mobile network. The plan was first reported by news site Axios, describing it as "unprecedented."
According to Axios, which reported Jan. 28 that it obtained documents produced by a senior National Security Council official, the proposal is aimed at countering China as the two nations develop next generation wireless technology, known as 5G.
The CEOs of USTelecom and CTIA—Everything Wireless issued statements opposing the plan Jan. 29.
"The wireless industry agrees that winning the race to 5G is a national priority," said CTIA CEO Meredith Attwell Baker. "The government should pursue the free market policies that enabled the U.S. wireless industry to win the race to 4G."
USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter said the proposal would "slam the brakes" on U.S. momentum to lead the 5G race.
"The best way to future-proof the nation's communications networks is to continue to encourage and incentivize America's broadband companies—working hand-in-glove with the rest of the internet ecosystem, and in partnership with government, to continue do what we do best: invest, innovate, and lead," he said.
The PowerPoint presentation of the plan says the superfast 5G wireless capability needs to be built fast because "China has achieved a dominant position in the manufacture and operation of network infrastructure," and "China is the dominant malicious actor in the Information Domain," according to Axios.
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