The world is in a race to deploy the next generation of wireless technology, known as “fifth generation” or “5G”, which promises ultra-high mobile internet speeds and greater capacity. The U.S. won the race to 4G, the current generation of mobile tech, but many fear the Chinese could beat us to 5G. To win this heat, the Federal Communications Commission must make available the spectrum (or airwaves) that 5G technologies need.
Over the next 6-8 weeks, the governors of all 50 States and territories will have a critical decision to make – what public safety interoperable network solution will be deployed in their state and operated for the next 25 years? Wireless 20/20 has published a new white paper What Should States Look for in Responses to Public Safety Network RFPs in order to address this vital decision.
The commercialization of 5G technology and use cases won't be like turning on a light, rather it will be a more gradual, phased approach. Early consensus suggests the first wave of 5G deployments may center around ultra-high-speed fixed broadband. Learn about the trials and testing that could ultimately bring multi-gigabit internet speeds into homes and businesses around the world, as well as how consumers and enterprises can leverage this new level of connectivity.
This is a critical time to ensure state public safety needs are met by FirstNet’s plans for the nationwide public safety broadband Network (NPSBN). Wireless 20/20 has published a new White Paper designed to help state officials and governors evaluate the available information, and understand the benefits of issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure that states get the best FirstNet deal meeting their public safety needs.
Despite calls for harmonized 5G spectrum at MWC, the U.S. and EU seem to be on different paths at least in the near term. Several spectrum bands were identified by the ITU WRC-15 for future 5G services, including three bands above 6GHz in the 24 GHz, 31 GHz and 40 GHz bands. Europe is currently focusing on sub-6GHz spectrum for initial 5G trials and deployments, including C-Band (3.4 – 3.8GHz), to be allocated for 5G across multiple markets. The EU Council recently adopted a decision which calls for the coordinated use of the 700 MHz band to drive the roll-out of 5G wireless technology and boost mobile broadband connectivity in all EU member states. As a result of this decision, European mobile operators will obtain exclusive access to the 700 MHz band (694-790 MHz) by June 2020, a timeframe that coincides with the expected deployment of 5G networks in Europe.
Approximately 30% of U.S. households in remote and rural communities still lack access to high speed broadband, and availability of fixed terrestrial broadband services in rural America continues to lag behind urban and suburban areas at all speeds. High speed internet access via DSL, cable and fiber is still cost prohibitive in rural and remote areas, and is available is only where providers can deploy these networks profitably.
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