The Commissioners of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) don’t typically agree on much these days. But they are unanimous in their opposition to a plan reportedly being considered by the Trump administration to nationalize the deployment and operation of an advanced 5G wireless network.
“I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, in a statement released after a report that a Trump administration security official signaled a possible interest in nationalizing the 5G network for security reasons. “The market, not the government, is best positioned to drive innovation and investment,” Pai continued. “Any federal effort to construct a nationalized 5G network would be a costly and counterproductive distraction from the policies we need to help the United States win the 5G future.”
Pai was quickly joined by the remaining four FCC commissioners, with three issuing similar statements. Any plans regarding the deployment of a 5G network in the U.S. would require FCC approval.
The statements from the FCC commissioners were released on Monday, January 29th, the day after reports surfaced that a National Security Council official meeting with senior members of the Trump administration suggested centralizing 5G network activities with the federal government to safeguard against cybersecurity threats.
Read the text of Commissioner Pai’s statements on the Administration’s 5G position.
