Senate's Tech Task Force Turns to 5G

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s tech task force is gearing up to take on 5G wireless, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The bipartisan mix of lawmakers will be “looking at some of these intricacies that affect spectrum and 5G deployment, security of the network and applications that are available to make life more convenient and accessible for consumers,” she said. Sen Blackburn also nudged Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to make a call about whether to allow satellite firm Ligado Networks to light up wireless service. “I echo Attorney General [William] Barr’s concerns that while there may be some remaining technical issues, it’s time for the FCC to resolve those concerns and to make a decision one way or another,” she said. Chairman Pai told Sen Blackburn nearly two months ago that staff were trying to settle Ligado’s application after some administration officials warned that the company’s plans would disrupt GPS signals in adjacent parts of the airwaves.