In a Thursday news conference, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler called on world leaders to come to the table to hash out a global deal on 5G spectrum sharing, Reuters reported.
Speaking during the World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva, Wheeler asked whether other countries would follow the United States’ lead in meeting growing spectrum needs “in a way that produces scope and scale economies that allows the wonder of wireless.”
Wheeler’s comment, however, is nothing new. In the past, the FCC chairman has repeatedly called for global harmonization of spectrum rules.
But while it waits for others around the globe to catch up with its thinking, the FCC is forging ahead.
The FCC is slated to begin a highly anticipated spectrum incentive auction in March that is expected to draw participation from some of the top names in wireless and broadband.
In comments delivered Thursday at the 4G Americas’ Technology Symposium, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said the United States government will play a critical role in pushing 5G forward.
“The private sector’s efforts alone will not be enough to make a successful transition to 5G,” Pai said. “We must put a framework in place now that will allow 5G to develop in the United States as quickly as the technology and consumer demand allow.”
According to Pai, key pieces of any potential 5G framework will include efforts to free up more spectrum, remove barriers to infrastructure deployment and encourage innovation and investment in the next generation network and technologies.
“In all three of these areas, there is more that the federal government can do and should be doing to ensure that America continues to lead the world as we move from 4G to 5G,” Pai said.
