Axios recently published a National Security Council memo considering the possibility of a national 5G network. Since that report was published Sunday, the Trump administration responded saying it has no current plans to nationalize a 5G network, according to Recode. Axios Chief Technology Correspondent Ina Fried, and The Verge Reporter Chaim Gartenberg explain what a 5G network would look like.
Fried says this would be massive, and unprecedented. "Building a 5G network takes years, it takes lots of planning," said Fried. "The whole industry is moving towards 5G very slowly and methodically. So the idea of anyone just coming in and doing it, let alone the government would be a massively bid deal."
This could greatly impact business competition among telecommunication companies explains Gartenberg. "It would mean dramatically decreased competition in terms of cell phone bills," said Gartenberg. "We never really had anything like this."
On Monday FCC Chairman Ajit Pai tweeted in opposition of this deal. Axios reports all five FCC commissioners are united against 5G nationalization.
Apple said Tuesday it is expanding the iPhone's capabilities to accept contactless payments, making it easier for merchants to conduct tap-to-pay transactions without having to buy additional hardware.
The Justice Department has announced its largest-ever financial seizure — more than $3.5 billion — and the arrests of a New York couple accused of conspiring to launder billions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
The IRS said Monday it will suspend the use of facial recognition technology to authenticate people who create online accounts after the practice was criticized by privacy advocates and lawmakers.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Cheddar is highlighting prominent Black Americans who are carving their own historic paths and trailblazing in their industries. Today we feature Greg Robinson, director of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope program.