FCC Chairman Says U.S. Has Early 5G Lead

Telecom regulator says spectrum policy helps U.S., but Chinese equipment makers pose threat

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BARCELONA—America’s top telecommunications regulator said U.S. companies are the front-runners in the global race to build fifth-generation wireless networks, a week after President Trump said those companies must step up their efforts or get left behind.

“In my view we’re in the lead with respect to 5G,” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai told The Wall Street Journal, pointing to the commission’s recent steps to quickly auction off wireless spectrum licenses considered useful for the new, ultrafast mobile...

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