Only American leadership will prevent the disaster of Chinese 6G dominance
The stakes are enormous. Whoever masters 6G first will enjoy not just a formidable economic edge, but also a decisive national security advantage.
The 5G era exposed serious vulnerabilities in American technology. Though American tech firms excelled in software, critical hardware, and global standard-setting, there were still major leadership gaps.
Foreign competitors (most notably China's Huawei) surged ahead of America, seizing considerable market share and strategic influence over international telecommunications networks. By the time the US recognised the scope of the challenge, it was playing catch-up.
We cannot afford a similar failure for 6G.
6G isn't just an incremental improvement over 5G. While 5G offers faster speeds and expanded connectivity, 6G promises breakthroughs like seamless integration of augmented reality, ubiquitous Internet of Things (IoT) networks, holographic communications, and AI-driven applications far beyond anything we could imagine now.
In short, 6G promises the kind of technological leap that, if harnessed effectively, will prove fundamental to entire industries – from smart cities to autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, and more.
Global 5G deployments are projected to contribute $6.5 trillion to the world economy by 2025 and nearly $11 trillion by 2030, according to GSMA Intelligence. But predictions for 6G leave these in the dust. Although 5G is likewise forecast to generate multi-trillion-dollar returns, 6G could exceed even those projections.
For the US to miss out on the benefits of 6G – both economic and strategic – would be to repeat the same mistakes we made with 5G technology. That's not an option. We must seize leadership in 6G early to ensure we reap the rewards.
Fortunately, other technological developments provide hope of renewed American tech ambition. One example is the emerging 'Stargate' initiative, a forward-thinking AI framework that will bridge academic research, defence needs, and private-sector innovation.
This initiative demonstrates the kind of bold vision we need to bring to 6G development.
To enact this vision, the US will have to adopt flexible, vendor-neutral solutions – something we've already seen in the push toward open, interoperable architectures (which Trump mentioned by name in a recent statement with the prime minister of Japan).
America does not need to go it alone.
Currently, some of the greatest innovations in 5G and potential 6G infrastructure technology come from trusted allies. We should harness their abilities and place companies like Finland's Nokia, Sweden's Ericsson, and South Korea's Samsung (none of which are Chinese state-controlled entities) at the forefront of 6G research and deployment.
These companies' existing track records position them well to collaborate with the US in shaping 6G standards, architecture, and rollout. And by partnering with them, we can reduce the risks posed by relying solely on entities with potential ties to foreign enemies.
By collaborating, we can ensure that 6G standards remain open, transparent, and driven by democratic values – thereby deterring authoritarian regimes from imposing their own versions of network control and cementing our collective leadership in the digital sphere.
All this will demand significant investment. This is where America's capital markets and global allies must align.
Already, the Trump administration has signalled a renewed intent to resurrect the fight for 6G. But this effort shouldn't be limited to a single administration or political party. Rather, 6G efforts should be part of a bipartisan national agenda funded by both public and private sources.
By engaging in public-private partnerships, we'll be able to pool resources from the United States, Europe, and Asia, ensuring a collective push that can surpass the efforts of Chinese state-backed entities.
Time is short. China is already developing 6G prototypes and, if given the chance, will likely offer subsidised deals to developing nations (a move straight from its 5G playbook).
From a national security perspective, networks form the nerve centres of modern societies. If Washington fails to safeguard and lead next-generation infrastructure, it will find itself beholden to foreign interests for critical communications technology.
That risk cannot be overstated. In the information age, national sovereignty hinges in large part on network control.
Because of this, the United States must take the initiative by forming partnerships with non-CCP-linked tech leaders, by pursuing AI efforts like Stargate, and by mobilising political will and capital.
Now is the time to seize a competitive advantage over the CCP and forge a future defined by open markets, democratic values, and a level playing field – one where all will benefit from cutting-edge connectivity. Winning the 6G race won't just secure America's economic prosperity and national security; it'll reaffirm the vitality of free nations working in concert.
America should learn its lesson from 5G and double down on its commitment to once again leading the world in technological innovation.
Robert Greenway is the director of The Heritage Foundation's Allison Center for National Security. Jarrett Lane is a member of Heritage's Young Leaders Program
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