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Damn, we're down to that level commercially? Last I read years ago, that was the stuff used for Astronomy shindigs.
@Soul I'm curious now about how all this operates. Higher frequency, more packet transfer? Seems like 5G has rolled out quicker than the transition from 3>4. Ignoring all the paranoia surrounding it, how easy is it to scale up in rural areas?
Chak-
It's mainly the new frequency band which allows the tech to roll out - it's just better suited to the type of job needed. The mast technology and core network infrastructure is now also built from the ground up to solve the issues seen in 4G with concurrent connections.
Scaling up is possible quickly and certainly, the manufacturers of the tech are ready for that. The barrier is network operator willingness (either because of recession etc or low customer need right now) as well as regulatory hurdles.
For once, we're a little ahead of the curve in the UK, having had the spectrum auctions and passed some legislation allowing 5G rollout in a more dense way but the burning of towers and general fuckwittery of the public isn't helping... as a contrasting example, France are yet to have their spectrum auctions, which are taking place at the end of this month. They'll roll out quickly because tech is here now but we originally auctioned the majority of our spectrum in 2018.
Soul
Part of the problem is that millimeter band radio signals barely penetrate buildings, leaves, trees etc. Struggles with fog and rain and basically dies if it snows. Difficult to transmit omnidirectionally too.
I suspect that the plan isn't to roll out the full fat service in large areas, perhaps just in stadiums etc as Soul suggested.