DOD announces four initial bases for 5G experimentation

The Defense Department will experiment with fifth-generation wireless technologies at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, Hill Air Force Base, UT, Naval Base San Diego, CA, and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, GA, the Pentagon announced today.

The four bases are the first installations where DOD will begin experimenting with 5G technologies to test out capabilities like dynamic spectrum sharing, augmented reality and "smart" warehouses for logistics operations.

"The bases were selected for their ability to provide streamlined access to site spectrum bands, mature fiber and wireless infrastructure, access to key facilities, support for new or improved infrastructure requirements, and the ability to conduct controlled experimentation with dynamic spectrum sharing," the Pentagon's statement explains.

DOD is expected to release a draft request for prototype proposals through the National Spectrum Consortium in November. The Pentagon plans to add new use cases to the RPP "roughly every quarter," according to the announcement.