5G Standards Work Slowed by Coronavirus Outbreak

3rd Generation Partnership Project is canceling some face-to-face meetings because of the coronavirus virus (see 2002040037), the group said. 3GPP cited “the critical situation in China … the fact that the coronavirus outbreak is a global health emergency and represents a risk outside of China” and “travels restrictions/company policies already applied.” The group recognized that the “main driver in this situation is and must be the health and safety of our delegates, we should avoid organizing large [face-to-face] meetings in Q1, even when the location of meeting is not in China, to avoid international flights in this critical period.” Umair Javed, aide to FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, tweeted Tuesday: “Apparently the #coronavirus is now slowing down #5G standards work.”