Big companies could also simply include their own networking equipment and data plan.
My understanding of the fake/non-mmWave 5G is it dramatically decreases cost for network operators. If that is true (please correct me if I am wrong), what stops tv manufacturers from including a tiny modem with its own gsm Internet connection that can do things like see if there is an update available or fetch weather information (based on included gps module)? Or the real reason, ads. They could even be simple text ads if network operators decide to charge a lot for data.
True, but I think the hypothetical from the GP was that internet connectivity must not be a requirement and I think 5G might be too close whereas something like radio clocks aren't. Perhaps a proprietary protocol and equipment would be different enough to allow companies to passively spy on their users. To stop TV manufacturers from including a tiny modem (proprietary or otherwise), language about what anti-consumer/anti-privacy behavior the network connection enables and why it shouldn't be a requirement for use, despite whether or not the network connection is fully funded by the manufacturer.
My understanding of the fake/non-mmWave 5G is it dramatically decreases cost for network operators. If that is true (please correct me if I am wrong), what stops tv manufacturers from including a tiny modem with its own gsm Internet connection that can do things like see if there is an update available or fetch weather information (based on included gps module)? Or the real reason, ads. They could even be simple text ads if network operators decide to charge a lot for data.