Redl, Pai talk up new tech and need for speed

The White House held a summit on 5G Friday, the deployment of which is a priority both for the Trump Administration and its pick for FCC chair, Ajit Pai.

Not surprisingly, then, the summit heard from both the White House's chief communications policy advisor, David Redl, head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration and Ajit Pai.

Related: It's All About the Wires

Pai's remarks came only two days after the FCC voted to speed the small cell deployments on which 5G depends by reducing the fees and timelines for local reviews of tower siting.

Pai branded FCC efforts the 5G FAST (Facilitate America’s Superiority in 5G Technology) plan, taking a page from the Hill and its legislative acronyms That plan comprises "freeing up spectrum, promoting wireless infrastructure [this week's small cell vote], and modernizing regulations."

Pai said time was of the essence given that the U.S. is hardly operating in a vacuum.

"We are not alone in our pursuit of 5G, he said. "The U.S. is in the lead, thanks to our private sector as well as the work of the FCC, this Administration, and Congress. But China, South Korea, and many other countries are eager to claim this mantle."

Redl laid out a vision of the transformative power of next gen wireless broadband: "5G means major increases in capacity and download speeds," he said. "Crystal-clear, high-definition video applications will become standard. Virtual-and augmented-reality technologies will take a leap forward. Speeds that dwarf what you can now get at home will be available in the palm of your hand."

Redl also talked about collecting better data to show where broadband still needs to be deployed. There has been much criticism of the quality of data both NTIA and the FCC rely on for maps of where service is and isn't.

"Our plan now is to take a phased approach to collecting the data we need to make a broadband availability map that shows the true picture of where we are," he said. "We will be working with states that already have collected broadband availability data, or had otherwise strong broadband programs. This will allow us to get the most value for the resources allocated to us by Congress."

He also said they were looking for help to digest that new info. "By the end of the year we will be issuing a request for proposals for additional data, and a technology service provider that will help us integrate all of the data sources we can bring together," said Redl.