2017 Senate Resolution 242: 5G Deployment Strategy


Summary, emphases and [comments], below, by Scientists For Wired Technology (‘S4WT’)

Bill Summary: SRes.242

The resolutions is short, so it would be better to read it than rely on this summary:

  • Whereas: "wireless and wired broadband networks are essential to" economic growth, closing the digital divide in rural areas, the Internet of Things (left undefined), and a list of promised projected benefits (telemedicine, precision agriculture, self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, smart communities, and advancements in public safety) . . .

  • The United States Should: promote the deployment of 4G/5G networks, facilitate the development of new technologies, allocate new spectrum, modernize (loosen) the regulations for siting 4G/5G infrastructure and promote the "availability, affordability, and quality of broadband service"

Scientists For Wired Technology Bill Analysis: SRes.242

Similar to House Resolution 53 (Get Out of the Way) This is a direct translation of the Wireless industry wish list. There is little consideration of the appropriate uses of Wireline Fiber Optic to the Premises (FTTP) for the most data intensive transmission (video) and using Wireless for less data-intensive transmissions (text/image/voice). Sending data point-to-point via Fiber Optics is thousands of times more energy efficient than indiscriminately spraying the data through the air.

Most of the benefits in this resolution can be achieved via FTTP. Real consumer choice is the decision of whether or not to allow wireless transmissions into one’s home or work environment, since RF microwave radiation at peak power levels greater than 10 microwatts per square meter is a toxic agent. No one would tolerate second-hand cigarette smoke pumped into their home and work environments 24/7/365 for the benefit of streaming video wirelessly. The analogy applies directly to Wireless data transmsissions.

This resolution’s lack of recognition of the well-established scientific facts establishing the hazards of Wireless data transmissions and its reliance on very thin industry projections, makes this resolution not in the best interests of the American people, only in the best interests of a few powerful private Telecomm companies who contribute millions of dollars to to US Senate and House candidates’ campaigns and communities.

SRes.242 Bill Text

115th CONGRESS, 1st Session

Expressing the sense of the Senate about a strategy to deploy fifth generation mobile networks (5G networks) and next-generation wireless and wired technologies to promote economic development and digital innovation throughout the United States.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 2, 2017
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate about a strategy to deploy fifth generation mobile networks (5G networks) and next-generation wireless and wired technologies to promote economic development and digital innovation throughout the United States.

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are essential to economic growth, job creation, and the global competitiveness of the United States;

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks provide connectivity to billions of devices, applications, and services that are increasing productivity and efficiency across every industry and economic sector;

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks create and support millions of jobs;

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are vital to providing communications services and access to internet connectivity to people in the United States living in rural and remote geographic areas;

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are a platform for innovation and ingenuity, powering advancements in the Internet of Things and other revolutionary technologies;

Whereas 5G networks will have the capacity to deliver enhanced mobile broadband with significantly faster data transmission speeds, low latency, more reliable connections, and greater data capacity, which will provide for seamless internet connectivity throughout all regions across the United States;

Whereas 5G networks are expected to create more than 3,000,000 new jobs in the United States, generate $275,000,000,000 in investment from the wireless industry, and add $500,000,000,000 to the economy of the United States over the next decade;

[S4WT Commment: This is only a projection . . . what is the basis for these claims? Any one other than Industry lobbyists?]

Whereas next-generation, gigabit Wi-Fi solutions that rely on unlicensed spectrum bands are poised to unleash a new round of innovation and consumer benefit from an industry that generates an economic surplus of $547,000,000,000 and contributes $50,000,000,000 annually in gross domestic product to the economy of the United States;

[S4WT Commment: Fantastic claims . . . Footnotes? Sources?]

Whereas 5G networks will enable innovative consumer and industrial applications that will enhance and maximize the capability, uses, and quality of technological developments, including telemedicine, precision agriculture, self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, smart communities, and advancements in public safety;

[S4WT Commment: Feasibilty analyses? Specifics? Alternatives to Ubiquitous Wireless Communications to achieve similar goals?]

Whereas the United States is a global leader in developing new technology and fostering digital innovation that has generated significant economic and social advancement and opportunity in the United States and around the world;

Whereas many States and localities are streamlining policies to facilitate siting and small cell deployment in support of 5G networks;

Whereas modernizing the infrastructure policies of the United States and securing adequate spectrum bands will be essential to the deployment of 5G networks and next-generation wireless technologies, and the realization of all its promised economic and social benefits; and

[S4WT Commment: No consideration of the downsides of these technology choices — security deficits? fragility in disasters? extreme damage to environment and health?]

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks, in addition to other technologies, are essential to closing the digital divide, delivering broadband service to rural areas, creating jobs, and powering economic development and innovation across the United States:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the United States should —

(1) promote the deployment of 5G networks in a manner that encourages robust investment, job creation, economic growth, and continued United States leadership in developing next-generation wireless technologies;

(2) advance 5G networks as a way of closing the digital divide and reducing the disparity in quality communications services available in rural areas;

(3) recognize that 5G networks will facilitate the development of a new generation of technologies that will open opportunities for increased efficiency, mobility, accessibility, economic development, and prosperity in communities throughout the country;

(4) commit to modernizing the infrastructure policies of the United States and identifying additional spectrum in low, mid, and high bands for licensed and unlicensed uses and to support the deployment of 5G networks and meet the increasing demands for wireless broadband service;

(5) recognize that 5G networks will give consumers access to more choices and enable them to derive greater value from mobile connections;

(6) commit to deploying 5G networks that are resilient and secure;

[S4WT Commment: October 2017 fires in CA show that Wireless Technology is neither resilient or secure]

(7) continue to participate in global efforts to create standards for 5G networks that improve user experiences, maximize use-cases, enable interoperability, sustain multiple, simultaneous connections, increase network capacity through virtualization or other software developments, and adapt to new technologies and future network applications; and

(8) promote the deployment of broadband technologies to expand the availability, affordability, and quality of broadband service throughout the United States.

[S4WT Commment: The goals in (8) can be achieved much better through Title II regulated shared public network of fiber-optical cables, Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)]