US and allies back shared principles for 6G development

The US and its partners have backed shared principles for the development of 6G wireless communication systems, as confirmed by the White House on Monday. This comes amid a battle over 6G standards, with Western countries and their allies expressing concerns that authoritarian regimes could further control the internet within their borders. Wireless communication policies impact economic growth and national security, fueling the ongoing rivalry between the US and China.

Earlier this month, China claimed to have launched the world’s first satellite to test 6G architecture. The governments of the US, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, and the UK jointly released a statement highlighting their commitment to open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, resilient, and secure connectivity. The statement outlined key principles, including the use of systematic approaches to ensure cybersecurity, the protection of privacy, and the development of accessible technologies for developing nations. Analysis by the Center for a New American Security suggests that China considers telecommunications vital to its geopolitical and strategic objectives.

China intends to dominate the development and rollout of 6G infrastructure, as it did with 5G, where Chinese firms currently hold 70% of the world’s base stations and 80% of 5 G-connected devices. The endorsement of shared principles for the development of 6G technology aims to counter potential control by authoritarian regimes, highlights the significance of wireless communication policies for economic growth and national security, and emphasises the importance of cybersecurity, privacy protection, and accessibility in creating a resilient and secure 6G network.

If China dominates both 5G and 6G technologies, it could pose significant challenges to the United States and its allies. Chinese dominance in these areas could lead to vulnerabilities.