FCC Opposes Trump Administrations National 5G Proposal

The FCC

It’s certainly been a busy few months for the FCC. Their head, Ajit Pai is enjoying more attention (and hatred) than any FCC chief prior. Despite that, it turns out that he might have just turned one of his biggest supporters, the President, into a new enemy.

The Trump administration earlier this week proposed that the US should look to provide a national 5G mobile network.

President Trump

The proposal was made to provide the US with a full 5G mobile service. A matter which in the report via Axion is currently in the hands of private companies such as AT&T and Verizon.

Donald Trump, who recently found an ally with the FCC and its Chairman Ajit Pai over the abolition of Net Neutrality, now find themselves in contradictory positions. A surprising position given how easily Net Neutrality was repealed.

It would seem that the relationship, whatever it was, has hit a rough patch. How sad.

Ajit Pai

In response to the proposal, the FCC’s Ajit Pai has spoken against it. “I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network. The main lesson to draw from the wireless sector’s development over the past three decades -including American leadership in 4G—is that the market, not government, is best positioned to drive innovation and investment. 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.”

It would, therefore, appear that whatever honeymoon period the US Government and the FCC had is now over.

What does the industry say?

The industry so far has supported the FCC’s position feeling that any nationalised attempt would undermine free-enterprise.

Meredith Attwell Baker, CEO of the trade group CTIA has also spoken out. “The government should pursue the free market policies that enabled the U.S. wireless industry to win the race to 4G.”

It would, therefore, seem that the US Governments proposals might be dead in the water. A pity, as it could have benefited many.

What do you think? Would a nationalised 5G network be a good idea? Does it go against free business practices? Will this affect the US Governments standing on Net Neutrality? – Let us know in the comments!