China aims to dominate 5G mobile technology—and it’s off to a strong start
The country has spent tens of billions more dollars than the US on infrastructure that will support next-generation cellular networks, according to a new Deloitte study.
What it’s for: 5G is the successor to today’s 4G networks and will be deployed in limited areas in some countries later this year. Because 5G will use different frequency bands than 4G, it is expected to bring greater capacity, higher speeds, and more rapid reaction times to everything from autonomous vehicles to VR headsets and smartphones.
The upshot: Countries that roll out 5G early will have a head start creating and selling a wide range of technology products and services. That’s one major reason the Trump Administration considers the development of 5G a national priority. Currently, China is in the lead, with 350,000 5G cell sites compared to fewer than 30,000 in the US.
But: No country has deployed 5G broadly for public use yet. Deloitte says the US could catch up by simplifying requirements for 5G equipment and encouraging mobile carriers to work together.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
This new data poisoning tool lets artists fight back against generative AI
The tool, called Nightshade, messes up training data in ways that could cause serious damage to image-generating AI models.
Rogue superintelligence and merging with machines: Inside the mind of OpenAI’s chief scientist
An exclusive conversation with Ilya Sutskever on his fears for the future of AI and why they’ve made him change the focus of his life’s work.
The Biggest Questions: What is death?
New neuroscience is challenging our understanding of the dying process—bringing opportunities for the living.
How to fix the internet
If we want online discourse to improve, we need to move beyond the big platforms.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.