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What's New in 5G - March 2021

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The next-generation of wireless technologies – known as 5G – is here. Not only is it expected to offer network speeds that are up to 100 times faster than 4G LTE and reduce latency to nearly zero, it will allow networks to handle 100 times the number of connected devices, revolutionizing business and consumer connectivity and enabling the “Internet of Things.” Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools it needs to maintain U.S. leadership in commercial 5G deployments. This blog provides monthly updates on FCC actions and Congressional efforts to win the race to 5G.

Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

COVID-19 Relief

The FCC continues to assist wireless service providers ease the strain on their networks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On February 19, 2021, the FCC made publicly available several earlier grants of emergency requests to operate on unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, the Santa Clara Pueblo, and United Wireless.

The FCC also released a copy of its earlier grant of special temporary authority to T-Mobile to use 600 MHz spectrum licensed to DISH to provide improved and expanded wireless service to consumers as well as facilitate the rapid deployment of its 5G network during the pandemic.

Legislative Efforts

Several bills were reintroduced in the House that would promote and streamline broadband infrastructure deployment.

On February 16, 2021, Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a comprehensive package of 28 bills to promote new infrastructure deployment, promote collocation and modifications to existing infrastructure for competition and consumer choice, remove unnecessary or duplicative barriers from environmental and historical reviews, and promote broadband deployment on federal lands.

A bill was reintroduced in the House that would require the FCC to determine the amount of spectrum needed to support the continued growth of IoT and 5G devices.

On February 2, 2021, Representatives DelBene and Katko reintroduced the Internet of Things Readiness Act of 2021. If enacted, the bill would require the FCC to collect and maintain data on the growth of the use of Internet of Things (“IoT”) and 5G-enabled devices in order to determine the amount of spectrum that these devices need. It would also require the FCC to biennially report to Congress on its data collection.

A bill was reintroduced in the Senate to address the need for a trained telecommunications workforce to meet the demands of 5G.

On February 2, 2021, Senator Thune and members of the Senate Commerce Committee introduced the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act. The bill would require the Department of Labor, in consultation with the FCC, to establish an interagency working group that would provide recommendations to Congress on the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry. It would also require the Department of Labor, in consultation with the FCC, to issue guidance to States on how to use federal resources to address workforce needs and to promote and improve recruitment in workforce development programs. The bill would further direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to determine the number of skilled telecommunications workers needed to build and maintain broadband infrastructure in rural areas and the 5G wireless infrastructure needed for 5G wireless technology. In a News Release, Commissioner Carr, who leads a 5G jobs initiative, stated that completing the 5G build in the U.S. will require “double the number of skilled tower techs and telecom crews.” He praised the Senators for introducing the bill, which would “create thousands of good-paying jobs.”

National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 61

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/what-s-new-5g-march-2021