Rhode Island Unveils 5G Wireless RFI

is open for business as a lab state for innovation -- the ideal place to test new technologies like 5G wireless,” she said in a news release. The Department of Administration's Division of Purchases posted the RFI on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission. The state wants "to work with all stakeholders to accelerate, and lower the cost of deployment and operation of next generation broadband networks," the request said. "This RFI is primarily directed at making the Rhode Island the first state to have 5G networks accessible everywhere while assuring the State and its communities have the Civic Internet of Things and the fiber networks … that they will need to thrive. The State plans to collaborate closely with municipalities to realize these goals.” The state said it has fiber infrastructure already, but it “faces a significant challenge with extending the fiber backbone to all eligible end users.” Submissions for the request (RFI #7551177) are due Dec. 27. Brookings Institution Fellow Blair Levin is an adviser to the state and said the RFI shows the Nutmeg State is “getting ahead of the curve by looking at the multiple issues holistically.” While the federal government “has laid a lot of foundation stones for 5G, the rubber will meet the road for deployment at the state and local level,” he emailed Wednesday. “Rhode Island has the potential to create a playbook that others can use to lower the cost and time of deployment.” In the governor’s news release, AT&T New England President Patricia Jacobs praised the initiative. "Wireless infrastructure deployment is critical to economic growth and public safety in Rhode Island," Jacobs said.