Space and Defense
Article Title
U.S. 5G Technology Policy: Competition or Boycott?
Abstract
Rather than corral allies and partners across the globe into boycotting Chinese 5G telecommunication systems, U.S. officials should embrace free-and-fair trade competition against China, even in products and services where China may enjoy a technological lead. The race for technological supremacy has emerged as a defining characteristic of the newest era of great power competition. China and the United States compete to become the dominant world power. Each side is racing to create the latest and most elite technologies to catapult themselves into the lead and give them the edge over their adversary. The fifth generation of wireless technology, called 5G, can revolutionize infrastructure, healthcare, communication, and the national security landscape for these countries and the entire world. 5G technology can improve data speeds and latency issues and create an interconnected network of over a billion devices. While this technology can and will be used to modernize cities and infrastructure worldwide, it will also facilitate the creation of new military and artificial intelligence technologies, likely determining the outcome of the next global conflict. With such massive potential for advantages or disasters, understanding what policies the United States should pursue regarding 5G technology and how to outcompete China in this realm will be center stage for American policymakers over the coming decades. Pursuing these policies as soon as possible might be the edge the United States will need in this era of great power competition, in which China has already made startling technological advancements. We first describe what 5G technology is and outline China’s, America’s, and Africa’s 5G policies, respectively. Then we defend our policy recommendations: 1) compete directly without blocking China’s sales in Africa, and 2) strengthen domestic and allied 5G market alternatives for 5G technology.