Karl Rove jumps into wireless battle that is dividing Trump world

Karl Rove isn't a registered lobbyist, but he is actively working Capitol Hill on one side of the 5G wireless fight that has split President Donald Trump's advisers. The veteran Republican operative has been contacting congressional offices to warn against bipartisan efforts to ban government control of the super-fast wireless technology. Rove also sat in on meetings with House and Senate Armed Services committee offices organized by a lobbyist for Rivada Networks, a politically connected company that wants the government to manage the sharing of 5G airwaves with wireless providers. Rove is one of several high-profile supporters of Rivada's plan. Rivada's model would have the administration take wireless spectrum from the Defense Department and use a third-party operator — ideally Rivada — to make those airwaves available to providers who need it on a rolling wholesale basis, much like in the electricity market. That puts Rove on the same side of the 5G debate as Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, who favors a robust federal role in 5G development, but at odds with White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. The telecommunication industry and many Trump administration officials and lawmakers believe private companies like AT&T and Verizon should manage the buildout of 5G — and say the Rivada plan smacks of "nationalization." But the concept has found supporters in influential parts of Trump world, including Parscale, who has said a wholesale network could drive down wireless costs and better serve rural areas. Trump adviser Newt Gingrich has also been a booster.