White House, US Tech Firms Work on 5G Software Development Effort

The White House is collaborating with U.S. technology firms such as Microsoft, AT&T and Dell to develop software for 5G telecommunications networks in an effort to reduce dependence on telecom equipment from China-based Huawei Technologies, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

“The big-picture concept is to have all of the U.S. 5G architecture and infrastructure done by American firms, principally,” said White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. “That also could include Nokia and Ericsson because they have big U.S. presences.”

The software development plan would build on some U.S. tech firms’ efforts to agree on common engineering standards that would enable 5G-focused software developers to run code on devices from various hardware makers.

“Dell and Microsoft are now moving very rapidly to develop software and cloud capabilities that will, in fact, replace a lot of the equipment,” Kudlow added.

The move comes as the administration seeks to address national security concerns related to the use of equipment from Huawei, which is said to have ties to the Chinese military.