Is the Valley ready to harness the power of the next wave in communications technology?  On Thursday, June 13, local leaders and industry representatives will have a conversation on this important topic.

Speakers:

• Sergio Contreras, President and CEO of the RGV Partnership (Moderator)
• The Hon. Armando “Mando” Martinez, Texas House of Representatives, District 39 (Panelist)
• The Hon. Jim Darling, Mayor, City of McAllen (Panelist)
• Scott Dunaway, Texas 5G Alliance (Panelist)
• Drew Lentz, Code RGV (Panelist)

• What is 5G technology
• How is 5G transforming our lives
• Why is 5G important to the RGV
• How is 5G being implemented in local communities

Background:

In communities across our state and region, local leaders are embracing and encouraging investment in their local wireless communications infrastructure – and for good reason.  Ensuring a local community has the opportunity to benefit from the next wave of telecommunications technology is vital as communities work to create new jobs, improve access to health care, bolster schools and enhance public safety.    

This increased demand is driving innovative communications companies to enhance their networks, not only to serve customers today but also to prepare for the next generation of technologies and services.  That includes the deployment of small cell nodes and, ultimately, the move to 5G.    

5G is more than just next generation communications.  It is widely regarded as a revolution that will usher in an entire new economy. 

Fast, reliable wireless networks are not only a crucial resource today, but they will play a leading role in bringing the technologies of tomorrow to life. In addition to ultra-fast mobile internet speeds, 5G will be the gateway for a truly connected society, powering a host of advanced services such as machine-to-machine communications, Internet of Things (IoT), connected smart cities, self-driving cars, remote control surgery and virtual reality. 

Another important component of this evolution is employment.  The Berkley Research Group found that “the 5G value chain itself is seen as generating up to $3.5 trillion in revenue in 2035, supporting as many as 22 million jobs.”