As the competition in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates from large models and data centers to real economies such as factories, ports, logistics, and transportation networks, strategic analysts in the United States are turning their attention to another key resource: the wireless spectrum.
On June 27, Paul Rosenzweig, former deputy assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and currently a lecturer at the George Washington University Law School, wrote in a article published by American media outlet Newsweek that if the United States continues to delay the allocation of 6G spectrum resources, it will not only fall behind China, which has already started its preparations, but it could also hinder the U.S. from competing with China in the field of mobile AI.
Mobile AI is regarded as the core battlefield of the next round of technological competition. Its competitiveness largely depends on the strength of wireless networks and the development and support level of new-generation communication technologies such as 6G.
The article states that in the field of technology, there is a “key fact that few people have discussed openly”, which is that the mid-frequency spectrum is highly related to the global leadership in AI. The technological advantages of the United States in the field of AI depend, to a large extent, on having access to sufficient wireless spectrum resources. And the spectrum serves as the “invisible infrastructure” that carries wireless signals.
"As AI applications become more integrated into the real economy, the high-speed, stable, and secure transmission of massive data becomes increasingly critical." The article states that data transmission capabilities are essentially the "key hub" for AI to function effectively. In particular, the mid-frequency spectrum is considered particularly suitable for supporting high-performance wireless networks in dense environments such as cities, industrial parks, and transportation corridors. It will also become the core infrastructure for supporting AI services and 6G technology in the future.
Rosenzweig argued that whether to expand the spectrum in the mid-frequency band and at what speed is no longer a matter of interests for the general consumer. Instead, it is a matter directly related to economic competitiveness and national security. Whether the United States can act quickly will determine whether it can seize key economic and strategic advantages in the AI era.
Paul Rosenzweig - Profile Picture
In his view, the country that first deploys AI on a large scale in the real economy will shape the next industrial era. “Therefore, the U.S. government must prioritize the allocation of spectrum resources.”
Furthermore, Rosenzweig stated that China has fully recognized this and has invested significant resources in this area. China possesses a spectrum scale for the mid-frequency band that is approximately four times larger than that of the United States. This difference “is indeed something that deserves attention by those who care about our country’s technological future and national security.”
He added that Chinese companies are also in a leading position in the research and development of 6G-related patents. It is estimated that by 2027, China will have a significantly larger spectrum in the mid-frequency band that can be used for commercial purposes compared to the United States and most other major economies. Recently, China also approved the use of 6GHz frequency bands for 6G trials, allowing for the conduct of 6G technology tests in some areas.
Rosenzweig described China's investment in this field as “ striking,” noting that it indicates the country views next-generation wireless networks as key infrastructure for determining AI competitiveness. As AI rapidly extends from the software level to the physical world, it will provide support in areas such as self-service systems, smart factories, precision logistics, and intelligent infrastructure. These systems all rely on high-speed, reliable, and widely deployed wireless networks.
Therefore, Rosenzweig calls on the U.S. government to respond promptly. If American telecommunications companies cannot obtain the spectrum needed to build the next-generation network, related companies will face increasing pressure in their large-scale competition. This has become a “crucial national security task.”
In fact, American policymakers have regarded the 2.7GHz band as one of the most promising resources. This band is adjacent to the existing commercial spectrum in the United States, and it is expected to form a larger and more continuous spectrum resource block, thereby supporting the development of AI applications, high-end manufacturing, and critical infrastructure systems.
But Rosenzweig pointed out in his article that the challenge lies at the execution level. Before the spectrum is put into use, U.S. federal agencies still need to complete a series of tasks such as transition planning, modernization, funding coordination, and auction preparations.
Unfortunately, the article criticizes the slow actions of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which failed to work together with the Federal Communications Commission to transition the 2.7GHz frequency band from federal use to non-federal use. Instead, the NTIA insisted on a phased process that could delay progress for several years, which will hinder the development of 6G in the United States.
The next stage of AI competition will not be confined to data centers, it will need to expand into the physical infrastructure connected by advanced wireless networks, such as factories, transportation networks, logistics systems, ports, and warehouses. The article points out that the countries able to deploy these systems at the fastest scale and with the greatest scope will be driving the next industrial revolution, contingent upon spectrum resources.
Rosenzweig believes that in the current intense technological competition between the US and China, timing is crucial. Any delay by the US in allocating spectrum could further expand China's technological advantages. Therefore, he urgently urges the US government to prioritize spectrum resources as a strategic issue, otherwise it will be too late.
