State seeking ideas to position R.I. as leader in development of 5G wireless networks

THE STATE has issued a Request for Information to national telecommunications firms for ideas on how Rhode Island can create a nation-leading hub and platform for development and deployment of 5G wireless networks. Richard Culatta, the state's chief innovation officer, pictured with Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, said Rhode Island is an “ideal place” to rollout 5G wireless due to its small size, population density and “ability to provide the regulatory flexibility to test new models.”  / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
THE STATE has issued a Request for Information to national telecommunications firms for ideas on how Rhode Island can create a nation-leading hub and platform for development and deployment of 5G wireless networks. Richard Culatta, the state's chief innovation officer, pictured with Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, said Rhode Island is an “ideal place” to rollout 5G wireless due to its small size, population density and “ability to provide the regulatory flexibility to test new models.” / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

PROVIDENCE – The state has issued a Request for Information to national telecommunications firms and other stakeholders for ideas on how Rhode Island can create a nation-leading hub and platform for development and deployment of 5G wireless networks and next-generation broadband infrastructure.
Responses to the RFI will be accepted until Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. The submission date originally was for Dec. 27 but has been extended. The R.I. Public Utilities Commission and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and the R.I. Office of Innovation is leading this effort.
“This RFI is primarily directed at making 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,” it states.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said she wants Rhode Island to be at the forefront of the development of next-generation broadband networks, including 5G networks, which are up to 100 times faster than 4G networks. That’s fast enough to download a movie on a tablet or smartphone in four seconds instead of six minutes, according to information from the governor’s office.

“To make Rhode Island one of the most desirable places to live, work and do business in America, we need to build the infrastructure of the future,” Raimondo said in a statement. “We are sending a signal that Rhode Island is open for business as a lab state for innovation – the ideal place to test new technologies like 5G wireless.”

Richard Culatta, the state’s chief innovation officer, said Rhode Island is an “ideal place” to rollout 5G wireless due to its small size, population density and “ability to provide the regulatory flexibility to test new models.”
“Additionally, Rhode Island is consistently ranked at or near the top of all states in the nation for broadband coverage and speeds, and possesses the robust wired networks upon which 5G deployments depend,” Culatta said in prepared remarks.

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