A large minority of Light Readers believe that traditional standards bodies, such as the ITU and 3GPP, will be the defining influence on the eventual 5G standard, according to our latest poll, Which Organizations Will Have Most Influence on the Development of the 5G Standard?

There is a good deal of competition -- some of it is even friendly! -- going on now to define 5G specifications. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is hoping to have a completed radio specification in June 2018, while Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is planning a fixed wireless specification before that. (See 3GPP Wants to Complete Initial 5G Radio Spec in June 2018 and Verizon Updates 5G Spec, Could Launch Ahead of 3GPP for more.)

Nonetheless, despite governments, academic institutions, and a gaggle of carrier and vendor groups being involved, readers still believe that organizations such as the 3GPP and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will have the final say.

For all the latest news on 5G, visit the 5G site here on Light Reading.

Seventy-three people have responded to the poll so far. Of those, nearly 48% -- or 35 people -- said that traditional standards bodies are taking the 5G standards reins, while nearly 18% believe that individual carriers will lead the way. A further 15% believe individual vendors will lead, while nearly 14% think operator-led groups are heading the next-gen charge.

Of course it should be noted that there is a vast amount of overlap between the 3GPP and carrier and operator groups anyway, so influence on the 5G specs is bound to be a question of politicking, whatever happens.

You can still vote in the 5G standards poll and, of course, cast your vote in our new poll, What Will Be The Most Expensive Element of 5G to Deploy?

— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading