To ensure other entities do not dominate the international 5G market, the U.S. needs to conduct a successful spectrum auction this December, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) said on the 5 on 5G podcast.
“But I think it's extremely important that we move forward and try to accelerate our domestic efforts as it relates to psychology and how we move forward as a country,” Ruppersberger said on the podcast. “I know Chairman (Ajit) Pai has been pushing aggressively for more options on the spectrum to encourage innovation and rapid development of type two technologies. The more that we can do that, the better, because China is attempting to do whatever they can to to be the dominant force in this area.”
The more technology companies brought together during the spectrum auction in December, the better, he said. This will not only help prevent other entities from dominating the international 5G market, it will help give the U.S. allies in the 5G market.
The COVID-19 pandemic could also help increase the nation’s chances of outpacing China as many Americans now work from home, creating high demand for fast internet.
“If there is a spectrum that isn't being used or can be reallocated, we should support that if it means that we're able to better compete. It's five three 5G round, but we need to make sure that the (Federal Communications Commission) coordinates across the entire federal government to ensure there are no conflicts with this decision, their decision making, or that they won't step back,” Ruppersberger said during the podcast.
However, ZTE and Huawei potentially pose a threat to the U.S.
Ruppersberger, a former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, used his position to uncover Huawei and ZTE’s espionage activities in
the United States. The investigation found that the companies were able infiltrate when former Texas Gov. Rick Perry attempted to create jobs while in office.
“And it wasn't his fault,” he said on the podcast. “Once they came in, we saw what they could do and how they could dominate and spy on us. And we really went as far as we could get the facts taken on why we had ZTE. Once we did this, it rattled the Chinese.”
Ruppersberger also met with the founder of Huawei in Hong Kong, who was not forthright, according to Ruppersberger. He therefore met with allies such as the U.K. and Australia to help spread the word on the dangers Huawei and ZTE pose to their nations.
Later, a U.S. bill passed preventing ZTE and Huawei operating allowed in the U.S., but President Donald Trump changed his mind on ZTE, evidently to form an advantageous relationship with China.
A 2019 “budget request for the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence budget request allows, it says, ZTE and Huawei parts are not going to be allowed,” Ruppersberger said during the podcast.
One of the most important U.S. actions its efforts to prevent its allies from allowing ZTE and Huawei parts in the countries. ZTE and Huawei are dangerous and pose a national security threat, according to Ruppersberger.
But it’s also important to start looking beyond 5G to outpace China. Technology companies should start looking at 6G and 7G for the future, Ruppersberger said.
“We’ve got to look at it now in the future,” he said on the podcast. “And we also have to make sure that we bring our allies that we need.”
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