5G GETS A MAJOR FUNDING BOOST

The Department of Defense (DoD) on Thursday announced it has designated $600 million for fifth generation, or 5G, wireless testing and experimentation at five military sites across the nation.

The funds will be used to help advance DoD’s overall 5G capabilities and include partnerships with academia and leading 5G industry groups, such as AT&T, Nokia and Ericsson.

The funds will be divided between Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga., Naval Base San Diego, and Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Michael Kratsios, acting under secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, said in a statement Thursday that 5G testing and development “will strengthen our nation’s warfighting capabilities as well as U.S. economic competitiveness in this critical field.”

“Through these test sites, the Department is leveraging its unique authorities to pursue bold innovation at a scale and scope unmatched anywhere else in the world,” Kratsios said. “Importantly, today’s announcement demonstrates the Department’s commitment to exploring the vast potential applications and dual-use opportunities that can be built upon next-generation networks.”