5G TECHNLOGY IN 2020

Telecommunication providers and technology companies around the world have been working together to research and develop new technology solutions to meet growing demands for mobile data from consumers and industrial users. Fifth-generation (5G) mobile technologies represent the next iteration of mobile communications technologies that were designed to improve current (e.g., 3G, 4G) mobile networks. 5G networks are expected to provide faster speeds, greater capacity, and the potential to support new features and services. 5G technologies were developed to accommodate the increasing demands for mobile data (i.e., more people using more data on more devices). 5G technologies are expected to serve current consumer demands and future applications (e.g., industrial Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles). 5G technologies are expected to yield significant consumer benefits (e.g., assisting the disabled, enabling telemedicine), industrial benefits (e.g., automated processes, increased operational efficiencies, data analytics), and economic benefits (e.g., new revenues, new jobs).

Past experience has shown that companies first to market with new technologies capture the bulk of the revenues. Hence, companies around the world are racing to develop and deploy 5G technologies, and many countries (e.g., central governments), seeing potential for economic gain, are taking action to support 5G deployment. This competition between companies and countries to lead 5G technologies and capture the bulk of the revenues is often called the “race to 5G.”

In the United States, Congress has monitored the progress of 5G deployment, and the U.S. position in the race to 5G. Congress has made spectrum available for 5G use, 1 and directed the federal government to identify additional spectrum for future 5G use.2 Congress has also streamlined processes for deploying 5G equipment (also known as small cells) on federal land;3 additionally, in 2018, legislation was introduced in the Senate which would have streamlined processes for deploying 5G small cells.4 To protect national security interests and to ensure the security of 5G networks, Congress restricted federal agencies from purchasing certain foreignmade telecommunications equipment. 5 This report provides a background on mobile technologies, and addresses the race to 5G, focusing on three leading countries—the United States, China, and South Korea. This report discusses factors affecting 5G deployment, and U.S. actions to support 5G deployment, such as actions related to small cells and national security. Finally, this report discusses near-term policy considerations for Congress related to the deployment of 5G networks, and future policy considerations, including the privacy and security of 5G networks and devices.