The Turnbull Government has signaled full support for 5G mobile technology and says it expects the rollout to commence in 2020.
Announcing the support, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield predicted late last week that 5G will support improved connectivity, significantly faster data speeds, and very low latency, bringing “substantial economic and social benefits across the economy”.
Fifield released a directions paper which promises that the Government will support 5G’s rollout by making spectrum available in a timely manner; engaging in international standardisation processes; streamlining planning arrangements and to allow mobile carriers to deploy infrastructure faster and at lower cost.
He said 5G would be a “key enabler” for a range of government priorities, including the Digital Economy Strategy, policy development for autonomous vehicles, and – you guessed it – a “smart cities” plan.
(CDN notes the Liberal/National Government has been talking about “smart cities” ever since assuming power in 2013, without so far as we can see actually doing anything noticeable – or smart).
