Donald Trump says America must win race to build 5G

US President Donald Trump. Photo / AP

President Donald Trump says the race to build 5G is one America must win.

Trump said Friday at the White House that building high-speed networks across the United States will transform the way Americans work, learn, communicate and travel.

5G will mean faster wireless speeds and has implications for technologies like self-driving cars and augmented reality.

The rollout started last week in the US and South Korea but will take years.

Trump says, "We must not rest. The race is far from over."

The White House says that Trump understands the country must invest in visionary projects to "dominate the industries of the future and lead America into the 21st century."

The Federal Communications Commission said Friday that it would hold the largest auction in US history, of 3,400 megahertz, to boost wireless companies' networks.

The FCC also says it will repurpose funds from existing programs to provide US$20.4 billion ($30.1b) connecting up to 4 million rural homes and small businesses to high-speed internet. There are 24 million Americans without access to broadband, and the problem is worst in rural areas.

- AP