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Trump administration wants 6G phones even before 6G comes into existence

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Why This Matters

The US government aims to showcase 6G technology at the 2028 Olympics, pushing for the development of 6G-ready devices despite the standard not being finalized. This move reflects a strategic desire to position the US as a leader in future wireless technologies, even ahead of industry readiness. However, it raises questions about the feasibility and practicality of deploying 6G so soon, given the current stage of standardization and infrastructure development.

Key Takeaways

Kris Carlon / Android Authority

TL;DR The US government wants to showcase its 6G capabilities at the 2028 Olympics in LA.

The Trump administration has asked Qualcomm to steer the development of three 6G-ready devices in this timeline.

We’re skeptical of this development since the 6G standard is unlikely to be finalized by 2028.

Commercial 5G was first introduced for users in the US roughly seven years ago. The technology has since matured enough and is estimated to be available to 99% of Americans. Alongside this feat, carriers in the US are now starting to implement the next generation of wireless networks, 5G-Advanced or 5.5G, which is based on 3GPP’s Release 18 recommendations. While that is still in its early phase, the Trump administration reportedly wants 6G to be ready for deployment soon.

Nate Tibbit, Qualcomm’s senior VP of global government affairs and public affairs, was speaking at a 6G-centric industry event hosted by Politico (via Fierce Network) when they revealed the US government’s expectations for the rollout of the next generation network. Tibbit said the US government is “keeping its eye” on the timeline for 6G’s rollout and is “very interested in accelerating the timeline.”

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Tibbit further commented that the Trump administration insists that 6G be ready by 2029 and has asked Qualcomm to prepare at least three commercial devices for the 2028 Summer Olympics, set to take place in Los Angeles, California. To realize those developments, companies require the infrastructure and the regulatory foundation to set the 6G wheels into motion.

While that sounds promising, getting three commercial devices ready over the next two years could be a monumental challenge, especially if 6G’s foundation isn’t ready in time. The 6G standard is expected to be first brought to the table with 3GPP’s Release 21 sometime in 2028, but finalization could gobble several additional months.

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