How New Partnerships Can Help Governments Optimize 5G

A backbone of the global economy, 5G is a powerhouse technology core to enabling artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Everything. Experts believe the fifth generation of mobile communications’ higher speeds and ultra-low latencies will unlock upwards of $1.3 trillion in global economic activity by 2030. This growth and innovation will create efficiencies in fields ranging from manufacturing to energy generation and healthcare. But the impact of 5G extends beyond private industry. It is now a critical component of national defense.

As the federal government implements 5G to modernize its communication systems for mission operations, a critical need has emerged—to forge new collaborations across the tech ecosystem that will successfully complete this integration and help resolve 5G-related security challenges. Recently, Booz Allen Hamilton, with support from Ericsson and Nokia, integrated 5G networks and commercial technology to meet the Navy’s mission needs and drive future projects at scale.

Adapting commercial 5G technology for federal needs, both now and in the future, requires a unique blend of expertise. Federal agencies intimately know and execute their missions while increasingly seeking to leverage commercial technologies to modernize infrastructure at scale. On the other hand, private companies and technology vendors already possess the knowledge and infrastructure to bring next-generation technology to life, offering more bandwidth, lower latency, and a stable environment. Their capabilities will streamline the testing, production, and deployment of 5G networks, making the process faster and more scalable.

Building collaboration between the public and private sectors will help streamline the government’s adoption of 5G. In some cases, commercial technologies must be adapted to meet the unique use cases and requirements of the government, particularly in the area of security. The interconnected nature of 5G increases the potential attack surface for cyber threats, making robust security measures essential. While 5G includes enhanced encryption and authentication protocols, organizations must also implement real-time monitoring systems to swiftly detect and respond to emerging threats. Addressing this complexity requires dynamic partnerships that encourage collaboration between federal agencies and technology providers.

Booz Allen, Ericsson, and Nokia separately bring specific areas of expertise. Together, we bring collective knowledge and resources to drive innovation for mission-specific applications of advanced technologies that enhance national security and protect the public against new and emerging threats.

This type of collaboration will likely become the norm, rather than the exception, as government agencies try to untangle challenging issues. By taking advantage of private-sector expertise, agencies can not only advance their own agendas but also stimulate innovation and democratize the marketplace. This approach will allow vendors big and small to increase their operability and offer their services with equal opportunity through dual-use technologies.

Collaboration and integration among tech ecosystem participants are the key to helping the Department of Defense (DOD) and other agencies achieve their vision for 5G technology. For example, 50 years ago, DOD was one of the largest investors in cellular technology, yet today private organizations provide much more significant investment to drive the development of new innovative technologies. From today’s national security perspective, modernizing and preparing for the next global conflict requires the right dual-use technology. Fortunately, DOD has an opportunity to harness innovations coming from the private sector to focus on mission sets sitting on top of the 5G networks.

Inter-industry partnerships can support federal agencies in adopting new technologies while mitigating potential obstacles, especially in navigating the security landscape. In the collaboration between Booz Allen, Ericsson, and Nokia, Booz Allen bridges the gap by helping Ericsson and Nokia understand the federal government’s unique mission challenges. Meanwhile, Ericsson and Nokia, as major infrastructure providers, can guide federal clients on the most efficient paths for technology implementation, leveraging their deep knowledge of regulations, technical specifications, and future technology plans.

In the next few years, 5G will roll out across the federal landscape in a big way, creating opportunities for users in every sector. What we do know is that the enhanced bandwidth and lower latency of 5G will enable bigger, better, faster technologies like AI and quicker decision making. Partners will work with the government to understand which use cases are optimal for use on 5G infrastructure.

Other use cases will present themselves over time. Since the technological specifications, regulations, and business strategies will evolve, the government needs a baseline of capabilities for operational transformation. Once the underlying infrastructure is built, companies and agencies can build on top.

The shared risk-reward nature of partnership models, then, offers a unique way for governments to take advantage of 5G’s benefits to modernize and improve public services—driving positive outcomes without pushing costs onto the agencies themselves.