The plan builds on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to open up four new high-spectrum bands for 5G. This will make the US the first country to open up millimeter (mmWave) bands for 5G use. (See Next Phase of FCC 600MHz Auction Starts August 16.)
The new initiative will be led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) . The NSF is investing $350 million over the next seven years in research into advanced wireless technology.
The NSF will also spend $50 million over the next five years -- as part of a total investment of $85 million by NSF and the private sector entities -- to build four city-scale wireless testing platforms, beginning this fall. (See Gigabites: US Ignites Gig+ Wireless Consortium.)
"These platforms will allow researchers to conduct at-scale experiments of laboratory-or-campus-based proofs-of-concept, and will also allow four American cities, chosen based on open competition, to establish themselves as global destinations for wireless research and development," said the White House in a statement.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton looks set to carry on the Obama administration's wireless policy. Clinton's recent technology policy paper also focuses on 5G as an economic driver for the future. (See Clinton Tech Plan Draws Sharp Contrast to Trump's Thinking.)
— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading
PS is this the same initiative announced 4 days ago? :)