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1 1 (March 25, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govebgb0001 and id is 1 raw text is: C o n rr e s s i n a R e e r h e v c S Updated March 25, 2020 National Security Implications of Fifth Generation (5G) Mobile Technologies The fifth generation (5G) of mobile technologies will increase the speed of data transfer and improve bandwidth over existing fourth generation (4G) technologies, in turn enabling new military and commercial applications. 5G technologies are expected to support interconnected or autonomous devices, such as smart homes, self-driving vehicles, precision agriculture systems, industrial machinery, and advanced robotics. In the military realm, 5G could additionally improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and processing; enable new methods of command and control; and streamline logistics systems for increased efficiency, among other uses. As 5G technologies are developed and deployed, Congress may consider policies for spectrum management and national security, as well as implications for U.S. military operations. Spectrum Management 5G requires deployment of technologies that work in various segments of the electromagnetic spectrum (the spectrum): sub-6, which operates below 6 GHz, and millimeter wave (MMW), which operates between around 24 and 300 GHz (see Figure 1). Figure 1.5G Proposed Spectrum Source: https://media.defense.gov/20 19/Apr/03/2002109302/-I/-I/0/ DIB_5GSTUDY_04.03.19.PDF. Millimeter waves allow for greater bandwidth and faster transfer rates, which some telecommunications companies have argued is required for autonomous vehicles and other data-intensive applications like smart cities; however, MMW travel comparatively short distances and can be absorbed by rain or disrupted by physical objects such as buildings and vehicles. As a result, 5G MMW technologies require installing a higher number of cell sites-at much higher cost and on a much slower deployment timeline than the sub-6 approach. 5G deployment thus relies on MMW for high-speed, high-bandwidth communications and on sub-6 waves for nationwide coverage. Telecommunication companies around the world are deploying 5G in different ways. Chinese telecommunications companies are focusing on the less expensive sub-6 approach, while some U.S. telecommunication providers are focused on MMW deployments and others on sub-6. The Department of Defense (DOD), however, holds large portions of the usable spectrum. Although DOD uses certain MMW frequencies for high-profile military applications such as Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites that provide assured global communications for U.S. forces, it extensively uses sub-6 frequencies-leaving less sub-6 availability in the United States than in other countries. The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) advised DOD to consider sharing sub-6 spectrum to facilitate the build-out of 5G networks and the development of 5G technologies used in the sub-6 band. While DOD has been moving toward greater spectrum sharing, it has expressed concern that sharing presents operational, interference, and security issues for DOD users. As an alternative to spectrum sharing, some analysts have argued that portions of the sub-6 spectrum should be reserved for commercial use. This would require DOD to relocate certain applications to other parts of the spectrum. The DIB estimates this approach would take around 10 years to complete, as opposed to 5 years for spectrum sharing. National Security Concerns According to a DIB assessment, China is the current leader in sub-6 technologies and is likely to deploy the world's first 5G wide-area network. Chinese companies, which often receive government subsidies (e.g., subsidized land for facilities, R&D grants), are therefore well-positioned as global 5G suppliers. Huawei alone has signed contracts for the construction of 5G infrastructure in around 30 countries, including U.S. allies Iceland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Some experts are concerned that vulnerabilities in Chinese equipment could be used to conduct cyberattacks or military or industrial espionage. These experts claim vulnerabilities were introduced through the poor business practices of many Chinese companies. However, they note that vulnerabilities could also be intentionally introduced for malicious purposes. China's National Intelligence Law, enacted in June 2017, declares that any organization and citizen shall, in accordance with the law, support, provide assistance, and cooperate in national intelligence work, and guard the secrecy of any national intelligence work that they are aware of. Some analysts interpret this law as requiring Chinese telecommunications companies to cooperate with intelligence services to include being compelled to install backdoors or provide private data to the government. https://crsreports.congress.gov

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