As we look to the future, one thing is crystal clear: leading the world in the development of the next generation of wireless technology is not just an opportunity—it’s an absolute national imperative. The U.S. must move decisively to identify the wireless spectrum needed to build an aggressive 5G and 6G communications network to stay ahead of global competitors like China and protect our national security. The time for action is now.
Each year, billions of dollars are invested into wireless technology in America. This investment isn’t just crucial for business; it’s essential for securing our leadership in the global technology race. Since 2019, the wireless industry has invested more than $190 billion in capital expenditures (CapEx) and another $233 billion in spectrum auctions since the FCC began licensing spectrum to enhance and expand wireless infrastructure. This level of investment throughout the wireless industry dwarfs that of many other industries and reflects the growing importance of wireless networks in powering the economy of the future. But without more high-power licensed spectrum – the lifeblood of the industry – investment and innovation will slow.
But it’s not just about the business of wireless; it’s about national security. The U.S. must have an edge in next-generation wireless technologies to safeguard our military and intelligence operations. That’s why it’s so critical that we ensure access to the spectrum required for the development of 5G, 6G, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are the backbone of future military capabilities, from AI-powered surveillance to next-gen communication systems. Without them, we risk falling behind—and our adversaries, particularly China, are not waiting for us to catch up.
China’s “Made in China 2025” plan is a clear blueprint for its ambitions to dominate high-tech industries. The country is strategically positioning itself to lead the world in wireless and AI technologies, setting its sights on a technological revolution by 2035. The Chinese government understands that leadership in wireless technology is key to becoming the global tech superpower. The U.S. cannot afford to let China get ahead of us in this race, especially when it comes to military and defense technologies.
The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes the importance of next-gen wireless capabilities. If the U.S. is to maintain its technological edge, we must accelerate the development of AI and wireless infrastructure. The DoD needs the capacity to leverage commercial wireless technologies for its next-generation applications, and this can only happen if the necessary spectrum is available. However, the Biden administration’s failure to act on spectrum auctions has put us at a significant disadvantage.
It’s particularly alarming that spectrum auction authority has expired, and there is currently no new spectrum available to bring to market. We are left in limbo, unable to harness the technology that will shape our future. General Mark Milley and others in the Department of Defense, a large holder of government spectrum, were too beholden to the status quo and unwilling to come to the table to develop a spectrum policy that would serve both DoD’s needs and keep America in the competitive driver’s seat for years to come. Bureaucracy has stalled progress, putting America’s economic and security at risk in a rapidly changing global landscape. The Biden administration’s lack of action for four years is not just a failure of leadership; it’s a failure to recognize the strategic importance of wireless technology in national defense and economic growth.
This is where the Trump administration can change the game and lead us down a new path. In President Trump’s first term, we saw decisive leadership in technological development, with a focus on leveraging the private sector and commercial innovation to ensure America stayed ahead. President Trump’s leadership ensured that the U.S. was not only a consumer of advanced technology – for example in robotics and AI – but also a global leader in its creation and deployment. Now, we need President Trump and his experienced team of leaders like Howard Lutnick at the Commerce Department and Brendan Carr at the Federal Communications Commission to step in and shake up the status quo and break through the bureaucratic gridlock that has paralyzed progress between the wireless and defense sectors.
A robust spectrum pipeline that identifies aggressive targets to bring significant amounts of licensed spectrum to auction would ensure that the U.S. can secure the resources needed to advance 5G, 6G, and AI technologies. It would also raise as much as $100 billion in revenue for the U.S. Treasury to help offset any revenue losses from the Trump Tax cuts. Previous spectrum auctions have raised more money than had been expected.
The Pentagon needs spectrum for strategic military applications, but there is no reason additional bands of the network can't be allocated for commercial applications to ensure America’s technology superiority as well. Let’s provide the fuel needed to ensure that American companies remain at the forefront of wireless innovation and allow them to apply the latest commercial technologies to our nation’s national defense. A real spectrum plan and pipeline isn’t just a matter of economic growth—it’s a matter of securing America’s future in the global tech race.
The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking. If we fail to act, we risk ceding the technological and strategic high ground to China. But if we move quickly to auction the necessary spectrum to its highest and best use, we can ensure that the U.S. remains the global leader in wireless technology for a generation. It’s time for action, and it’s time for America to lead again.
Stephen Moore is President of Unleash Prosperity and a Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Steve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
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