All 5G-related activities will be overseen by the Pentagon’s chief information office, which will also set up a new office devoted to enhancing user experience. This office will attempt to empower the industry against competitors like China by using an open network strategy.Â
The Pentagon’s chief information office will assume control of all 5G-related activities in the department starting from October 1, with the aim of adopting an “open network, open software approach.” This shift is intended to empower the industry and gain an advantage over adversaries such as China. Pentagon CIO John Sherman stated that his office will expand existing 5G pilot programs to more Department of Defense installations and focus on open radio access network (O-RAN) pilots. By collaborating with US companies, the Pentagon aims to transition from closed-network systems, like those employed by certain Chinese companies, to an open-network approach that can be dominated by American industry. The initial set of three-year pilots, awarded in October 2020, involved over 100 companies and explored spectrum sharing, 5G networks for training, and smart warehouses across five military bases. Additionally, the DoD plans to establish a new office dedicated to user experience (UX), similar to the existing zero trust portfolio management office, to enhance the overall user experience within the department.Â
Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/dod-cio-taking-over-as-5g-lead-expanding-pilot-programs/Â
