China holds a narrow lead in overall 5G readiness ahead of South Korea and the US

According to a new study released by the CTIA, China holds a narrow lead in overall 5G readiness ahead of South Korea and the United States.

The findings show China, South Korea, the United States and Japan as the lead competitors in that order. China's narrow lead is due to a combination of both proactive government policies and industry momentum.

The study attributes the United States' high ranking to the fact that America's wireless industry is a global leader in preparing to deploy 5G commercially, with significant investments in these next-generation networks.

"The United States will not get a second chance to win the global 5G race," said Meredith Attwell Baker, CTIA President, and CEO.

Baker said, "I'm confident that America can win and reap the significant economic benefits of 5G wireless due to our world-leading commercial investments. Today's research highlights the importance of policymaker action in 2018 to reform local zoning rules and unlock access to mid-band spectrum as part of a broader spectrum pipeline plan. I'm optimistic we will leapfrog China because key leaders in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, and at the FCC are focused on the reforms needed to win the race."

"I'm optimistic we will leapfrog China because key leaders in the administration, on Capitol Hill, and at the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are focused on the reforms needed to win the race." According to the study, Europe led that way in 2G, the second generation, while Japan was ahead in 3G and the United States in 4G.

While pointed out the major highlights, a study said that all major Chinese providers have committed to specific launch dates and the government has committed to at least 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum and 2,000 MHz of high-band spectrum for each wireless provider.

Countries around the world are moving quickly to make spectrum available for 5G. This year alone, the UK, Spain, and Italy are all holding 5G spectrum auctions.

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Furthermore study added that at the end of 2018, the US will rank sixth out of the 10 countries in mid-band (3-24GHz) spectrum availability, a critical band for 5G. The US joins Russia and Canada as the only countries currently without announced plans to allocate mid-band spectrum on an exclusive basis to mobile by the end of 2020.