The 5G Rollout by 2021: Coverage, Capacity, and Market Shifts
By 2021, the extent of 5G deployment will significantly increase, with major cities and towns across all countries receiving substantial coverage. However, challenges remain, particularly in remote and rural areas, where infrastructure expansion is required to ensure adequate coverage.
Urban Coverage and Network Capacity Issues
In the urban sectors, network capacity is likely to be the primary concern. As the number of 5G connections skyrockets in dense urban environments, network capacity will face strain initially. This challenge is especially prominent in cities, where population density exacerbates the need for robust infrastructure.
According to the latest reports, a significant number of major cities will experience substantial 5G coverage by the end of 2021. However, it's important to note that rural areas may still lag behind due to the necessary infrastructure expansion.
Market Dynamics and Competition
The increasing availability of 5G services is expected to lead to a reduction in broadband prices, fostering competition between broadband service providers and 5G network operators. Both sectors will vie for market share, creating a more dynamic and customer-centric environment.
T-Mobile's Potential Advantage
Among the major players, T-Mobile stands out with its extensive coverage due to the newly acquired 600 MHz spectrum. This lower frequency band offers excellent coverage, which can be incredibly useful. Nevertheless, capacity remains a sticking point. The 600 MHz spectrum requires fewer cells, but it's less efficient for using Massive MIMO technology due to the large antenna sizes.
5G's Role in Solving Capacity Issues
For the foreseeable future, 5G will primarily serve as a tool to address capacity issues. Its suitability for dense urban environments is unmatched, making it ideal for population-heavy cities. The capacity challenges in rural areas are less critical compared to the urban landscape, allowing for a phased rollout strategy.
Overall, while 5G coverage will expand significantly by 2021, capacity limitations will require careful management. The continued coexistence of 5G and 4G networks will ensure that both densely populated urban areas and less developed regions receive the necessary technological support.
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OKportal Technology