The White House is set to convene on Friday with government officials, business leaders, and academic members to discuss strategies for developing next-generation 6G wireless technology and to reflect on lessons learned from the 5G rollout.
Although 6G technology is likely still several years away, this initiative is seen as an effort to surpass China and reassert the US as a leader in wireless connectivity. It also aims to carefully plan for new technologies essential to national security and the broader economy.
“It’s crucial that we address these issues early,” a security official from the Biden administration stated during a press call on Thursday evening.
The White House intends to “apply the lessons learned from 5G about the importance of early involvement and resilience” to the development of a 6G network that “optimizes performance, accessibility, and security.”
Compared to 4G, 5G technology promised significantly enhanced speeds, reliability, and zero lag time, enabling advancements such as new surgical procedures, safer transportation, and more immersive video games.
While the 5G infrastructure rollout in the US is largely complete—most carriers launched their 5G services in 2022—consumer adoption lags behind 4G. ABI Research forecasts that by the end of 2023, more than 270 million subscribers will use 4G connectivity, compared to just over 170 million 5G subscribers.
Other countries, including China, have seen greater success with 5G adoption. However, conditions in China are not directly comparable to those in the US, as the Chinese government exerts more influence over business decisions, according to Leo Gergs, an analyst at ABI Research.
The slower 5G adoption in the US can also be attributed to the slower-than-expected development of 5G network infrastructure, Gergs noted. Consequently, 5G networks are less potent, and consumers may see less incentive to pay a premium for 5G connectivity.
“For consumers, the performance of 4G connectivity is sufficient, so they are less willing to pay extra for the low latencies or faster data rates that 5G promises,” Gergs explained.
The specifics of what 6G will entail remain unclear. The administration expects that combining elements like AI, advanced software, cloud computing, and cutting-edge semiconductor chips will create faster networks to support applications in health, energy, transportation, water, and agriculture.
However, the government’s early focus on 6G also risks overhyping future technology, potentially making it harder for carriers to convince consumers to upgrade to current 5G subscriptions, Gergs cautioned.
For the wireless industry, he said, it’s “a delicate situation.”