How to approach 5G policies We recommend policymakers to consider 5G-related interventions in the following five areas: 1. Encouraging the opening of tech standards, platforms and networks, especially when proprietary solutions pose risks to competitive efficiency, freedom and security. This is a complex issue with a global dimension, where no country or company can drive the ultimate outcomes on their own. However we see grounds for national policy visions in defence of public interests in this area. We recommend selective policy interventions to encourage the opening of tech standards, platforms and networks, particularly when competition is failing, and when such moves would bring benefits or reduce risks to the economies and societies. This can be done, for example, by rewarding such type of behaviour. It is also important that local companies are not subject to harsher rules than their international peers only because it is easier to enforce regulations on them. 2. Supporting diversity in business models for private 5G networks for Industry 4.0 and beyond. The ability to build highly secure high-capacity local private networks using licensed spectrum will become increasingly important for innovation in industry and services (Industry 4.0). The demand from industrial and service companies for the highest degree of control over such networks and data on them, which they often see as their crucial future strategic assets, appears reasonable. We recommend policymakers to consider allocating appropriate amount of the over 3GHz spectrum, i.e. spectrum suitable for local private 5G networks, on a flexible, localized, transparent and inclusive basis, making it directly accessible also to local entities interested in building their own private 5G networks. A qualified entity, ideally independent on entities that operate public and private networks, will need to manage dynamic and localized allocation of such spectrum to different users, including local businesses and industrial companies interested in operating their own private networks. Meanwhile, attention should be also paid to securing sufficient spectrum allocation to public networks, for example by allowing spectrum sharing and localized use of such designated spectrum by public network operators in selected areas. 3. 4. 5. Exploring synergies between digital communications, energy and other strategic infrastructures. We recommend policymakers to consider aligning regulations in telecoms and other utilities, particularly in power, to soften any potential regulatory barriers to synergic investments between these types of infrastructures and industries. Countries may benefit from regulations that encourage timely and strategically sensible initiatives such as better resource sharing between today’s telecommunications and utilities industries in building strategic and secure communications networks for versatile use. Transforming the telecommunicators industry post covid 19. The changing role of digital communications infrastructures, evolving opportunities for digital innovation along with economic and societal changes triggered by covid 19 all strengthen the case for strategic transformation of the telecommunications industry. There is a number of arguments against full duplication of nation-wide 5G infrastructures including: a need for expensive fiber investments, high capacity and initial underutilization of the newly built 5G networks, public preference to limit the number of antennas, and the high cost of building full territorial coverage. The covid 19 crisis highlighted situations when states need to provide urgent support to telecom infrastructures, such as emergency spectrum or physical protection. Telecom infrastructures have therefore become strategic for national interests. This argument will only strengthen with growing dependence of individuals, families, businesses and the public sector on digital services for health, security, emergency services, finance, transportation, energy etc. This may accelerate a shift in priorities in telecom infrastructure away from fullscale competition towards regulation, safety and reliability. Meanwhile, telecom operators may find new attractive innovative opportunities in the national markets for secure digital consumer services, including in finance and health, secure personal data and national data sovereignty, personal data privacy protection and management, trustworthy media and content, trusted IoT solutions as well as helping to enable similar solutions for enterprise, including small and medium sized businesses. Since the current wireless business model was essentially created by the policymakers via spectrum allocation, fundamental reforms are not likely to be feasible without appropriate policy support. We recommend policymakers to work with the telecoms and other stakeholders to formulate a vision of the future digital economy, among others around more deeply shared nationwide infrastructures as well as expanded role of telecoms as national digital service providers, trustworthy and secure providers of nationwide connectivity and guardians of private and public data. Responding to concerns about security, control and health. As digital infrastructures grow more strategic and new innovative opportunities arise in digital services, the role of regulators will grow in some areas and alter in others. We recommend policymakers to assure the public that they have a grasp on protecting its security, freedom and control over its own affairs amid a growing overlap between the virtual and real worlds, while showing their commitment to progress, readiness to take precautions against health and security risks, and support to continuous research in these fields. Policymakers should pursue their interest preferably by enforcing free market competition. When such approach fails, it is reasonably expected to fail, or it would have material adverse implications for freedom or security, more heavy-handed regulations may be considered in selected areas. Executive summary 13