A coalition of nearly 400 companies has won a Department of Defense (DOD) 5G contract worth some $2.5 billion.

The National Spectrum Consortium includes 384 member companies and academic institutions. The consortium won the Spectrum Forward Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) contract, the purpose of which is “to accelerate the development, adoption and deployment of next-generation technologies” for US soldiers.

“An Other Transaction Agreement is the most effective method to enable rapid prototyping in the US Government,” said Tony Melita, Executive Director of the NSC. “By bringing industry, academia and the government together, the NSC will tackle the toughest spectrum-related technological challenges facing our nation and the world. We are excited and ready to continue the development of innovative dual-use technologies that support our warfighters and American jobs.”

“The United States has been the global leader in mobile technologies for decades,” said Sal D’Itri, Chairman of the NSC. “Now, as 5G takes hold, we need to invest in the development of a new wave of capabilities that will once again redefine the technology landscape. On behalf of the NSC membership, we look forward to working the government, industry and academia to take on this challenge.”

The contract award is the latest indication of the importance of 5G across a wide range of applications and uses.