China-US telecoms competition spreads to 6G and space

Significance

Washington is increasingly focused on competition with China in these technologies, with this competition extending to new fields such as international standardisation bodies and satellite constellations. As more real-world applications for next-generation telecoms emerge rapidly, third countries will increasingly be affected by this US-China contest, creating challenges for continued globally unified development of wireless telecoms.

Impacts

• China’s private telecoms-related industries will continue receiving massive investments, including in new satellite constellations.
• Washington will develop a more coordinated approach to strategic wireless telecoms development, including international standardisation.
• Development of space-based infrastructure to support next-generation telecoms will stimulate the private space sector.
• Firms in allied countries will find increasing opportunities to participate in development and build-out of US-led projects.
• US-China rivalry in telecoms development will accelerate international bifurcation of a range of previously unified ICT ecosystems.