Federal Coordination Key to 5G Push: Matsui, Rosenworcel

To address threats to 5G security, the FCC needs to work closely with the rest of the federal government, said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Congressional Spectrum Caucus co-Chair Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., at a Center for Strategic and International Studies webinar Thursday. That was Rosenworcel’s theme as a minority commissioner -- that spectrum conflicts occurred in the past four years because agencies weren’t working together.

During Donald Trump's administration, “significant conflicts between federal agencies caused costly delays in making new spectrum available, while also creating severe uncertainty" for users, Matsui said. Conflicts “encouraged a combative rather than collaborative posture among federal agencies and often required congressional intervention,” she said: “This approach falls far short of what the U.S. needs to remain the pacesetter in 5G.” Industry and federal agencies need “clear direction from the White House,” she said.

At Rosenworcel's first meeting as acting chair, “I committed to working with our federal partners and the private sector to increase the security and resiliency of our nation’s communications networks,” she said: “Working with like-minded countries and multilateral institutions and building on shared frameworks like the Prague principles can multiply our strength" globally.

Rosenworcel said she has had discussions with NTIA and Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leadership and with Deputy National Security Adviser-Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger. “We need a dedicated interagency and cross-bureau team of experts advancing a comprehensive approach to securing our nation’s communications,” Rosenworcel said.

Former Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Brendan Carr defend the last FCC, saying spectrum fights occurred because they were willing to take on bands that past administrations wouldn’t (see 2103150058). Neither commented now.

The FCC is clamping down on security, excluding Chinese gearmakers from U.S. networks, Rosenworcel said. “We’re broadening our focus from equipment to services” and on Wednesday started proceedings to revoke authorizations of China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and ComNet (see 2103170061), she said. “These actions will help make our communications future more secure.”

Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of the open radio access network notice of inquiry, approved by commissioners Wednesday (see 2103170049). “We have only four major vendors for RAN equipment to choose from, none of which hails from the United States,” she said. The fastest-growing vendors are from China “in part because the Chinese government deploys powerful industrial policies to make their equipment cheaper,” she said.

“We are at a critical moment,” Matsui said. “The actions that we take now will have far-reaching consequences for years.” The launch of 5G is in an early stage and depends on coherent U.S. spectrum policy, Matsui said. In January, Matsui wrote then-President-elect Joe Biden urging a “unified approach to spectrum policy” (see 2101080047).

The U.S. is doing well on 5G, said James Lewis, CSIS senior vice president. “There are things we can do to strengthen and speed the adoption of 5G and its use,” he said. “We also need to start thinking about what comes after,” because people are asking about 6G. He said a U.S. strength is the FCC spectrum auction system, “which is the envy of many countries.”