President Donald Trump said he wants U.S. companies to lead in the development of future wireless networks.
"I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible," President Trump tweeted Feb. 21. "It is far more powerful, faster and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind…"
In a follow-up tweet, President Trump wrote, "I want the United States to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies."
The fifth generation of wireless internet speed, 5G, can reputedly load websites and download songs at least 10 times faster than 4G. On Feb. 6, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives submitted a statement to a Senate subcommittee, requesting 5G investment.
CHIME listed telehealth, remote monitoring, interoperability and big data as particular areas in healthcare that would benefit from enhanced internet speeds. "Untethering patients from the capabilities [of] a traditional network will alter patient engagement and mitigate existing access challenges," CHIME wrote.
Some healthcare systems have already joined the push toward 5G. In January, Chicago-based Rush University Medical Center partnered with AT&T to use 5G technology in certain facilities. When announcing the partnership, Rush said it planned to use 5G to connect applications, devices, robotics and people to streamline hospital operations.