Augmented Reality to Play Role in 5G Infrastructure 

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5G cellular network technology signifies the connectivity of everything and everyone everywhere – through wireless communications. The US DoD had been focusing efforts on large-scale experimentation and prototyping of dual-use (military and commercial) 5G technology that will provide high speeds, quicker response times and the ability to handle many more wireless devices than current wireless technology.

The DoD has named seven U.S. military installations as the latest sites where it will conduct 5G communications technology experimentation and testing. This second round, referred to as Tranche 2, brings the total number of installations selected to host 5G testing to 12. This tranche builds on DoD’s previously-announced 5G communications technology prototyping and experimentation and is part of a 5G Strategy.

According to lightreading.com, the strategy’s goals include advancing “US and partner 5G capabilities,” promoting “awareness of 5G risks to national security,” and developing “approaches to protect 5G infrastructure and technologies.” Interestingly, one of the stated goals is to research “open architecture and virtualization.”

The bases were selected for their ability to provide streamlined access to site spectrum bands, mature fiber and wireless infrastructure, access to key facilities, support for new or improved infrastructure requirements and the ability to conduct controlled experimentation with dynamic spectrum sharing.

According to defense.gov, the DoD recognizes industry will play a key role in the development of leap-ahead 5G technology for both military and civilian uses. In the coming weeks, the department will issue requests for prototype proposals from industry partners, focusing on ship-wide/pier connectivity, enhancing aircraft mission readiness, augmented reality support of maintenance and training, wireless connectivity for Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and Tactical Operations Centers (TOC), bi-directional spectrum sharing, and more.