What would it take to cover the entire geographic United States with 5G, beyond the commercial coverage that is already planned?
About $36 billion and another 37,000 sites, according to a new estimate on 5G ubiquity commissioned by the Competitive Carriers Association.
While the three largest mobile network operators are already claiming “nationwide” 5G coverage based on population coverage, it’s an entirely different distinction to cover all of the geographic areas of the United States. A new study commissioned by CCA estimates that it will take an additional $36 billion in government and private investment in order to ensure ubiquitous 5G coverage in areas that mobile network operators are unlikely to build out without subsidies.
