Last December, Wall Street Journal columnist Holman W. Jenkins, Jr., published a column entitled, “Is Airwave Nimbyism Holding Back 5G?” where he suggested that some stakeholders have been keeping Ligado’s spectrum “hostage for a decade.”

Today, the 116th Congress held its first hearing on winning the race to 5G. The topic is critical to the future of U.S. economic and national security. Whichever nation advances wireless connectivity enabled by 5G will lead industries, economies, and governments to new frontiers of productivity and innovation, and sustain decades of competitive advantage.

Fifth-generation wireless networks are designed to be wicked fast, about 100 times faster than 4G. At 10 gigabits a second, 5G can send a full-length high-definition movie in seconds. It also paves the way for the "internet of things," where devices from refrigerators to traffic lights to dog collars can talk to each other.

Forward-thinking officials at the federal, state and local levels are hurrying to update their processes, looking for new approaches that maximize community value and minimize delay. Based on what we’ve seen successful cities do, here are key recommendations for communities seeking to accelerate their transition to become a 5G smart city.

For many years satellites have been instrumental in the wide world of telecommunications, albeit, given the high barrier to entry in the market, limited...

5G technology will enable $12.3 trillion in global economic output by 2035, Chris Pearson, head of industry trade group 5G Americas, said during a...

A CTIA-commissioned analysis estimates that deploying the next generation of high-speed 5G wireless networks could create up to three million jobs and add approximately...

By Bret Swanson A revival of economic growth in the U.S. and around the world will, to a not insignificant degree, depend on the...

By Richard Adler Since the late-1970s wireless telephone communication has seen a steady progression in speed, bandwidth and services offered to the public. The...