Maine could see massive job and economic growth from 5G

Last Fall, the Maine State Chamber brought together telecom industry leaders and businesses from across Maine for a workshop to discuss a key resource for our state’s economic future: the implementation of 5G.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following guest article was submitted by Owen Smith, president of AT&T – Maine. He can be reached by calling (207) 776-3080 or by emailing owen.x.smith@att.com.

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The conversation that followed ranged from job growth to community benefits to innovation opportunities and beyond. But the one thing that resonated again and again, was the incredible impact 5G could have on Maine’s future. 

The 5G difference will be most immediately noticed by individual Maine residents. More devices we use every day – phones, tablets, etc. – can be connected at faster speeds and with a better response time because of this latest generation of wireless technology.

But beyond an individual’s cell phone, 5G creates implications and benefits for a near-limitless array of industries and community institutions. Ultra-fast connectivity empowers the innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow, enabling the technology that will drive research, development, and growth well into the future.

The Maine State Chamber’s virtual workshop highlighted how 5G is poised to jumpstart this unprecedented wave of innovation right here in Maine. As we dive deeper into the implications and benefits of 5G, we begin to recognize the technology’s ability to unlock even more opportunities that stretch across the business spectrum, impacting manufacturing, agriculture, entertainment and more.

Over the past year, data has continued to support what we already know – that 5G has the potential to bring significant economic development, promising massive job and GDP growth in the U.S and right here in Maine.

According to research from Boston Consulting Group, 5G deployment will contribute $1.5 trillion to U.S. GDP and create 4.5 million jobs nationally in the next decade. Per the report, the growth will occur directly through infrastructure investment and indirectly by enabling innovation that transforms all sectors of the economy.

For Maine specifically, the report shows $2.8 billion in GDP growth and more than 8,600 jobs across the state over the next ten years.

Here are some key points from this report, which you can read in full online at www.ctia.org/news/report-5g-promises-massive-job-and-gdp-growth-in-the-u-s:

• ŸIssues critical to the future of Maine, and the country, such as climate change, access to health care and educational equality, would be impacted by 5G and the technologies and jobs that it enables.  
  
• ŸWireless connectivity is critical to help closing the digital divide, a challenge faced by rural and urban Maine communities alike. The next generation of wireless – 5G – can provide options to help local residents and communities address the digital divide in our state.
• ŸDelaying 5G deployment could mean billions of dollars lost and hamper technological advancement, an unwelcome set-back for any local Maine businesses, students and residents looking to build their futures with the latest technology.

 
When it comes to 5G, the data speaks for itself: the future of connectivity will bring innovation, job growth and economic benefits to Maine. But if 5G is to be a success for as many people as possible, in both Maine’s cities and rural locations, our local and state policymakers should encourage and enable the deployment of the necessary infrastructure. Strong public/private partnerships are the bedrock of successful networks.

Maine has the right mix of workforce, economic development, industry, and academic institutions to become an innovation leader. Having 5G at the foundation would boost each of those areas and could help collectively kickstart the future of Maine technology.

The telecom industry is committed to working with stakeholders in Maine to make sure our state is at the forefront of this wave of progress.