Reference News Network, April 23 — According to a report published on April 21 by the U.S. website The Wall Street Journal, the United States has begun planning for 6G wireless communications.
The report stated that the Biden administration is initiating efforts to develop a strategy for 6G wireless technology, aiming to expand internet access while reasserting U.S. leadership in a field where China has already made significant advances.
On April 21, the White House convened a meeting with experts from industry, government, and academia to begin defining goals and strategies for the development of next-generation 6G communication technology. This future technology is expected to enable truly ubiquitous global cloud computing and mobile internet connectivity, along with other transformative improvements.
Although the deployment of this next-generation telecommunications technology remains several years away, it could pave the way for universal global internet access—a goal that current 5G standards have yet to achieve. Expanding internet connectivity is a key priority for the Biden administration as part of its broader infrastructure initiative.
The 6G planning initiative also aims to restore leadership in telecommunications for the United States and its allies.
According to the report, China has already made substantial progress in the telecommunications sector—partly due to its deliberate support for domestic equipment manufacturing and its intensified engagement in setting international technical standards.
A U.S. government official acknowledged that China has effectively leveraged 5G to advance its economic and national security objectives, such as helping domestic telecom manufacturers like Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. capture global market share from Western competitors.
At a press briefing on April 20, a senior U.S. government official said: “China has indeed prioritized the telecommunications industry… I think we may not have done so ourselves.”
The report also noted that the U.S. government is focusing on maintaining and securing advantages in other high-tech fields where it faces new challenges from China, including semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
