National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow on Thursday said the Trump administration opposes government intervention in the deployment of next-generation wireless networks known as 5G.
Kudlow, speaking at a wireless trade group event, promoted the administration's position that the private sector should drive 5G deployment.
"I don't want the government to run this," Kudlow said at an event hosted by CTIA in Washington, D.C.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpManufacturers association calls on GSA to begin transition process Biden vote tally getting close to 80 million Brent Budowsky wins The Hill's 2020 election prediction contest MORE's 2020 campaign, led by campaign manager Brad Parscale, previously raised eyebrows by promoting a nationalized 5G deployment plan, which would put the government in charge of making 5G widely available in the U.S.
Kudlow and members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) quickly opposed that plan, saying wireless companies should take the lead.
The tech and telecom industries have been excitedly cheerleading the introduction of 5G, touting its potentially massive economic benefits. Next-generation 5G wireless is expected to provide internet connections that are exponentially faster than current speeds, enabling a host of new technologies, but skeptics of the technology say it is nowhere near ready for rollout.
Kudlow's remarks on Thursday largely served as an assurance that the Trump administration still believes industry should lead the deployment of U.S. 5G.
"We should stay on the free-market track," Kudlow said. "We want as much entrepreneurship as possible. We want to make sure the door is open for American companies and related suppliers."
Some proponents of a nationalized plan say it would help the U.S. roll out 5G before China. The National Security Council last year put together a plan that would allow the Trump administration to build a nationwide 5G network to compete with China, which some say is racing ahead of the U.S. in the deployment of the next-generation technology.
Chinese telecom giant Huawei is playing a pivotal role in developing 5G networks in other countries, including many U.S. allies, but Washington has banned Huawei products in the U.S., citing national security concerns. U.S. officials have warned that companies such as Huawei could be compromised by Chinese intelligence.
"There will be a national security piece, without question, but it seems to me the way we’re doing things is the right way and we’ll continue that," Kudlow said. "The private sector will figure things out far better than the government sector. You’re far ahead of us, you always are."
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have opposed the plan, saying it would give the government too much control. A trio of senators — Sens. John Cornyn
John CornynHillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Trump's cyber firing stirs outrage Meadows meets with Senate GOP to discuss end-of-year priorities MORE (R-Texas), Richard Burr
Richard Mauze BurrCyber agency urges employees not to lose focus in wake of director's firing GOP breaks with Trump firing of cyber chief: Adds to 'confusion and chaos' GOP senator: Trump shouldn't fire top cybersecurity official MORE (R-N.C.), and Mark Warner
Mark Robert WarnerIRS races to get remaining stimulus checks to low-income households Hillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Trump's cyber firing stirs outrage MORE (D-Va.) — last week introduced legislation that would reject a nationalized 5G strategy.
