NTIA Releases 5G Listening Sessions Summary of Conclusions

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a summary of conclusions from its two 5G industry listening sessions, conducted to identify incentives and policy options to ensure the US has adequate sources of secure, effective, and reliable 5th and future generation wireless communications systems and infrastructure. Top conclusions from major areas of discussion are:

• Public-private engagement: Participants expressed appreciation for the ability to engage directly with the government and raised the need for improved information sharing on security matters between the government and industry.
• Funding: The funding focus was primarily on the potential role of government testbeds, but participants also cited the need for the government to invest in infrastructural measures like fiber network build-out, workforce development, and international competitiveness.
• Network Development: Participants argued for continued government support for voluntary, industry-led standards development processes, stressing the importance of these standards for the global security and interoperability of 5G networks.
• Open RAN: Participants were generally enthusiastic about Open RAN’s potential to deliver a range of benefits, including greater vendor diversity and supply chain resilience, and supported an active role for the government in fostering the conditions for Open RAN’s continued development and adoption.