Telecom industry sources dismissed as a “lead balloon” a leaked National Security Council memo on nationalizing a next-generation “5G” wireless network, presented by NSC staff as a way to secure the system and keep ahead of China. Those industry sources say the Trump administration appears committed to collaboration rather than government dictates on cybersecurity.

The industry has an ally in Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, who said nationalization “would be a costly and counterproductive distraction from the policies we need to help the United States win the 5G future.”