The highly anticipated emergence of 5G in the telecommunications industry is going to play a profound role in the entire industrial economy over the next several years. All indications point to 5G going well beyond the Internet of Things (IoT), onto broader applications involving big data transmission and artificial intelligence (AI).
Having said that, the one who sets the standard for emerging 5G technology will have the true potential to extend surveillance and data mining at an unprecedented scale. Looking at how everything is shaping, China appears to be emerging as the frontrunner and as a result, the United States and Europe must start collaborating if they want to directly address any pertinent cybersecurity concerns.
Should core 5G standards get adopted on the Chinese model, the terms for how equipment manufacturers can license them will be set by China, a nation that many think is primed to become the world’s next major superpower. Not only would this give Chinese firms an edge in equipment markets, but could also prompt increases in danger to privacy and security of communications.
Industrial firms in the United States and Europe must stay on their toes when maintaining a private sector-led model for standardizing settings in the telecommunications sector. Having said that, it does appear all but impossible inside of China, where distinctions between public and private sectors are very unclear, and sometimes nonexistent. Consequently, the United States and its European counterparts must cooperate when developing rules regarding foreign investments that are responsive to China’s state-directed and subsidized policies.
It’s been suggested that national security teams from NATO allies and Japan investigate questions related to cybersecurity and implementation of 5G networks (which is practically right around the corner). Granted it’s far from being the manifestation of protectionism, taking these necessary steps is essential when addressing China’s stated ambition for their country’s firms to control at least 70 percent of domestic consumption in 10 major industries. Should there be a failure to respond decisively, this will further reinforce the present trajectory towards greater protectionism.
Filed Under: Wireless, Cybersecurity, M2M (machine to machine)
