By Kelum Bandara in Daily Mirror, Oct 31, 2023
Sri Lanka is to take a cautious approach in the introduction of 5G technology to navigate geopolitical rivalry to be triggered by the involvement of China’s Huawei, a minister said.
5G race is an already established term in international politics. 5G or the 5th generation wireless technology is poised to transform every aspect of life since it will introduce applications such as self-driving cars, buses, and trains, telesurgery which will connect surgeons and patients in great distances and smart home devices, public services, and smart city applications (i.e. smart water and sewage systems).
According to a study, by 2025 more than 6 billion, or 75% of the world’s population will interact with data every day, and each connected person will have at least one data interaction every 18 seconds.
Sri Lanka is taking steps for the proper expansion of 5G technology in the country starting from next year.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Huawei’s research and development centre during his recent tour. Chinese technological giant Huawei signed an agreement with President Wickremesinghe to digitise Sri Lankan schools during his four-day visit to China.
However, the government is to take cautious, calculated steps in tying up with them in the introduction of 5G technology in partnership with any multinational company because of geopolitical rivalry.
Asked for a comment in this regard, State Minister Kanaka Herath who is in charge of the subject said Sri Lanka is mindful of geopolitical tension involved in the process and will decide in this regard without being caught in any rivalry.
He said that no country had registered its protest over teaming up with any technological giant at the moment.
“Yet, we know what is in store if we make a move. Will make a cautious approach,” he said.
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