Forget 6G! China’s “New IP” Plan for a New Internet.

To remain competitive, business should have a pulse on what being proposed on international forums regarding technology. This will help guide and future-proof technology investments.

Huawei is proposing a fundamental internet redesign to build “intrinsic security” into the web. If this comes to fruition, individuals must register to use the internet, and authorities can shut off an individual user’s internet access at a moment's notice. The new IP plan will be formally debated February 2022.

How can this even be a valid idea to debate? China, through Huawei is debating this point through a multilateral institution where it has more influence, instead of a multistakeholder institution. So what?! Normally, new technology standards go through international organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). These international organizations vote through multistakeholder consensus. Voting power rests with individuals representing industry, civil society, and the government. Huawei is proposing the new standard through the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which votes through multilateral consensus. Voting power rests with national governments. To successfully oppose this new plan the United States must provide more input through its private-industry partnerships and other like-minded international allies.

Having an understanding and pulse into international forums are key drivers to understanding which technology standards are primed for global adoption. This will help businesses develop future-proof technology investments to continue to be competitive.