It is not in my place to talk about accomplishments of other countries. But this is certainly, and rightfully should act as reminder to US academic institutions for lagging on contributions to 5G. My objective is to inspire US academia at least for 6G development. As part of my research I have come across so many "testing papers in the name of 5G research and unfortunately they continue to appear, with probably zero intellectual contributions. This is certainly unexpected and unacceptable! for a country that consistently produces(d) geniuses in any field one could pick from. Well, that might sound like a rant, certainly it isn't. I have to present the other side of the story where world has significantly evolved and maybe we US academic researchers should learn and inspire from.
A semester of contributions in India 5G at IITH, I'm yet to compile the rest! 3-4 academic institutions from India, put together 150 technical contributions in 5G. An academic lab or two, compiled a goddam 5G standard for India- 5GI and ITU endorsed it. I would like to compile all the details here, any program manager or researcher can reach out if they want to fact check. If the current and poor state of US academia in cellular space continues, certainly the poor state of wireless connectivity is rural US continues. Administrations will waste Billions of USD in the name of Internet for all. https://internetforall.gov/. Certainly some Federal office should wake up only to understand poor wireless connectivity of US, fund relevant research, not everything is AI. Fun fact would be to search for where US stands in mobile connectivity. Cell towers density is the least, fiber to home is a luxury, digitization is still in its infancy. While I'm proud as researcher at the US academic institution for the facilities accessible to me. But I feel sad that our work translates to nothing to help an average American's tax payer whose contributions have made our research feasible in the first place.
WE DON'T NEED FANCY LABS, MILLIONS of "BS" Research grants (I can gladly explain how much has been wasted for the outcomes some wireless research facilities produced when literally they are guinea pigs of software written elsewhere on Earth, equipment that can be purchased for dirt cheap or otherwise freely and openly available) . To progress all we just need is people. Encourage and break down the barrier of entry for researchers to contribute to standards, do good research and make the avenues open and free. Look at impact before funding that project, trace the origins of equipment, software, what is being done, why do they need money in the first place when literally everything comes for free, Fund students instead!. Encourage local 5G startups, patiently wait for progress, invite citizen researchers. I don't consider myself an outlaw, I just want good for everyone, to the people who helped my education at the very least! and one thing all the research is to empower people of a nation and improve the quality of life.