US, China locked in a race for 5G lead
The United States and China are in a virtual deadlock in the race for 5G, or fifth-generation wireless networks expected to unlock new services, a new industry survey shows.
The report says the United States has closed the gap with China in “readiness” for the ultrafast wireless systems and has more 5G deployments planned in 2019 than any other country.
The study for the wireless industry group CTIA and conducted by the research firm Analysys Mason showed the US moved ahead of South Korea in 5G readiness over the past year to a virtual tie with China, as a result of considerable investment in 5G systems.
CTIA president Meredith Attwell Baker said in a statement that the United States has made “impressive strides” in preparing for the new technology but that more is needed to maintain leadership.
Analysts expect 5G networks to play a crucial role in delivering data for autonomous vehicles, remote medicine and other services with heavy data usage.
According to the report, the US leads with 92 commercial 5G deployments planned for 2019 but noted that China’s wireless operators are conducting “hundreds of large-scale 5G trials across the country.”
“China retains a significant infrastructure advantage,” the report said. A recent study showed China with more than 14 wireless cell sites per 10,000 people, compared with 4.7 in the United States.
The report said to maintain growth in 5G, the US needs to do more to allocate wireless spectrum, in some cases reassigning bands.