February 14, 2022
It’s Not Just 5G: China’s Telecom Strategy Needs to Be Countered in Space
Over the last five years, the security implications of China’s 5G proliferation have received a steady amount of attention. But there is a lesser-discussed, increasingly important side of technological competition between the US and China: Beijing’s growing involvement in the many other critical components and technologies that power the future of global telecommunications, from the depths of the oceans to outer space.
Advanced technologies that will ride on top of 5G networks — such as robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) and video surveillance cameras — could prove vulnerable. But so too can backhaul, subsea cables, mobile applications, and mobile devices that all contribute to the global telecommunications network. China has increased state investment in these areas, with an eye on controlling the networks that data is transported on and, potentially, access that critical data.
The Biden administration needs to look up to space to provide a counter for China’s telecommunications plan.
China is approaching these with the same stance they have taken towards 5G — that domination is needed across the board. And unlike America, where the various communications technology sectors tend to run parallel but separate, China is seeking to intertwine everything, an important strategy that could give them a leg up on the US unless Washington can switch its thinking and take countering actions.
The good news: it’s not too late to take action, and in one crucial domain, the US still has dominance. As previously disassociated technologies begin to overlap, 5G applications through the space domain will be the connective tissue. Washington must prepare for this new frontier of technological competition by taking several steps to change the current thinking.
Read the full article from Breaking Defense.
More from CNAS
-
A World Full of Missiles
If the United States wants to maintain its role as the international security guarantor in today’s missile age, it must reckon with this growing cost....
By Andrew Metrick
-
Deterring the Powerful Enemy
It is a privilege to testify here on matters that are important to the vital national security interests of the United States, as well as those of our other allies and partner...
By Tom Shugart
-
The Next Step in Military AI Multilateralism
As part of the deluge of new artificial intelligence (AI) policy documents surrounding the AI Safety Summit in November 2023, the United States released a long-awaited update ...
By Michael Depp
-
Autonomy and International Stability
Executive Summary In a time of growing international tension, with interstate warfare ongoing in Europe and openly threatened over Taiwan, military forces worldwide are lookin...
By Tom Shugart