The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has publicly stated that its primary mission over the next few years is to ensure that the United States wins the race to full 5G deployment, while allowing private industry to ultimately determine how it will be done. This presents a unique challenge for the U.S. telecommunications industry – how can it get investment capital, government policy, and commercial markets moving at the same speed to outpace international infrastructure developments? How can industry leverage government support in a way that puts the nation at an advantage in the race to 5G?

Smart cities are, in essence, a network of smart structures – buildings, parks, train stations, etc. In order to connect each of those structures to a compatible 5G network, they must be fitted with unique wireless solutions that are designed for a variety of unique physical characteristics. Your Smart City education begins here – with an in-depth panel discussion on how smart buildings are built. Learn how each structure’s materials, shape, location, and public access routes factor into the network design. The session will address costs, building codes, path loss, as well as how building networks will be owned and operated.

The impact of 5G will not be limited to dense, urban markets. The rollout will also play an important role in bridging the digital divide to rural communities and businesses operating in remote regions that depend on wireless connectivity. What exactly does the 5G era look like for these end-users? Are there actual 5G deployments planned? Or, will 5G free up more 4G and 3G resources to dedicate to remote customers? Could it be both? In addition to these topics, the panel will also address the significant economic opportunities that rural wireless infrastructure can deliver for small communities and agriculture.

Planning a 5G infrastructure investment is no easy task and, as we have learned in previous sessions, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy or approach. A good place to start is by prioritizing your needs. What does your city, business, or facility need out of 5G wireless – data collection and predictive analytics, robust IoT, responsive AI? What is the most economically feasible path to achieving those needs? This session will provide insights and perspectives on large-scale 5G investments, while sharing advice and guidance to those leading smaller-scale projects. Topics will include: How can 5G wireless service providers and hardware manufacturers regain the trust of end-users and customers who feel that they were left behind in the transition to 4G LTE? Can 5G projects be financed in a way that benefits everyone involved?

As 5G allows a vast number of networks to speak to each other, it places an even greater focus on the need for a united industry and government front to protect networks from malicious attacks. What is the role and responsibility of government and industry in protecting networks and the privacy of individual data? Which organizations and agencies need to take leadership? How can government clear up confusion over conflicting network security directives? With 5G networks moving at light speed and powering millions of networks and applications simultaneously, how can network security strategies remain adaptive and proactive? Is network security now a matter of public safety? Should government be responsible for providing network security as a public service?

From immersive entertainment systems on self-driving cars to virtual reality telecommuting, training and supervising, 5G takes the world’s most innovative applications and makes them truly mobile – accessible on a global scale and constantly adapting and reacting to new environments. We end DC5G by looking into the distant future and predicting the next wave of mind-blowing technologies that will get people even more excited about 5G. Peek into the imaginations of device and software developers who are working on projects that will change the way we think about our connected world.