Trump Unveils US National Security Strategy With 5G Deployment Commitment

President Donald Trump unveiled a U.S. national security strategy Monday that includes a commitment to “improve America’s digital infrastructure by deploying a secure 5G Internet capability nationwide.” A White House report on the strategy briefly mentions its 5G deployment proposal to “increase national competitiveness, benefit the environment, and improve our quality of life.” House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said she's “encouraged to hear the president’s national security strategy includes a pledge to deploy 5G wireless services nationwide.” House Communications held a hearing on 5G last month amid discussions about a draft bill from Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, that would encourage deployments by easing siting requirements (see 1710310057, 1711160058 and 1711240024). Lawmakers “will continue to work to unleash spectrum and support the development of 5G networks,” Blackburn said in a statement. “The 5G revolution is here, and I look forward to working alongside the administration to ensure America remains a leader in technology and innovation.” CTIA is “pleased” Trump’s strategy “acknowledges the critical importance of next-generation 5G wireless to maintaining America’s competitiveness,” said President Meredith Baker. “We are locked in a race with countries such as China and Russia to be the first to deploy 5G. To win this race we need government to make more spectrum available to industry and modernize the rules governing the deployment of wireless infrastructure.”