The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, Brendan Carr, emphasized the need for the U.S. to accelerate the release of electromagnetic spectrum and take a leading position in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively address the challenges posed by China in the global tech competition. He made these remarks during a speech at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
Carr highlighted the proactive efforts of the Trump administration to release more electromagnetic spectrum to promote wireless communication development. It is expected that this move will generate $80 billion in revenue for the government and help the U.S. maintain its leading position in technological competition with China.
“We need to bring hundreds of megahertz of spectrum to the market, not only to stimulate investment but also to curb inflation by reducing consumer usage costs,” Carr stated.
Under Carr’s leadership, the FCC has initiated several significant measures, including the re-auctioning of AWS-3 spectrum licenses, the release of mid-band spectrum in the C-band, and exploring effective uses for high-frequency bands like 37 GHz. These actions are aimed at providing more spectrum resources for 5G and AI applications, further driving technological innovation and economic growth.
The electromagnetic spectrum covers the range of all electromagnetic wave frequencies or wavelengths, with certain bands usable for wireless communication technologies such as broadcasting, mobile communication, and Wi-Fi. Due to the limited and highly vital nature of these frequency resources, they are typically managed and allocated by governments or regulatory bodies to avoid interference and enhance efficiency of use.
With the advancement of AI technology, the electromagnetic spectrum has not only become a medium for transmitting information but also a crucial source of data for AI systems to perceive and understand the environment.
Carr pointed out that the U.S. lagged in spectrum release during the previous Biden administration, allowing China to take the lead in developing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He believes that AI will be key in driving telecom network upgrades, making the acceleration of spectrum release a necessary measure for the U.S. to counter challenges from China.
“AI will be a key application scenario driving telecom network upgrades, which is why we must release spectrum faster and make it easier for businesses to invest in high-capacity, high-speed new networks,” Carr emphasized.
On January 24th this year, the FCC announced the termination of the environmental review process initiated during the Biden administration. Carr stated at the time, “It is time to re-energize American infrastructure construction. Over the past four years, although the Biden administration sought to connect millions of Americans to high-speed internet, it was slowed down by cumbersome administrative procedures, delaying the construction of new infrastructure unnecessarily.”
Carr further noted that the FCC is assisting U.S. businesses in upgrading communication infrastructure, shifting investments worth billions of dollars from outdated copper cable networks to new high-speed networks capable of carrying more data. To facilitate this transformation, the FCC is actively streamlining existing regulations, removing barriers to technological innovation, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness in the global communications market.
Currently, the FCC is prepared for multiple spectrum auctions and policy adjustments to increase spectrum utilization efficiency. It is also closely collaborating with domestic enterprises to accelerate the implementation of modernization plans for communication infrastructure, these reforms are expected to lay a more solid foundation for the U.S.’s technological leadership in the coming years.
In an effort to strengthen the autonomy of technology supply chains, the FCC is working towards “repatriating” RF testing for electronic devices from China to the U.S. Carr pointed out that over 75% of RF testing for electronic devices is currently conducted in China, posing not only industry reliance but also potential risks to U.S. national security.
“We must bring back this testing to the U.S. in the short term, not only to reduce the risk of Chinese technological interference but also to drive the development of local electronic manufacturing and high-tech industries,” he stressed.
Moreover, the FCC has intensified its scrutiny of Chinese telecom companies operating in the U.S., investigating enterprises like Huawei, China Telecom, ZTE, Hikvision, and China Mobile, among others, listed on the “restricted list.” These companies have been identified as posing “unacceptable risks” to U.S. national security through their equipment or services and are currently undergoing comprehensive reviews of operational compliance.
To systematically address these risks, the FCC officially established the “National Security Council” on March 21st this year and initiated a comprehensive investigation into relevant Chinese-funded enterprises. This move aims to prevent hostile foreign forces from infiltrating U.S. network infrastructure through communication equipment and ensure national digital sovereignty and security.
(This article references relevant reports from Bloomberg News.)