When Can We Expect 5G Phone Service to Become Ubiquitous in the USA?

The rollout and availability of 5G services in the United States has been a gradual process, with various carriers expanding their coverage over the years. As of the latest updates in 2021, 5G is available in limited areas in many large and mid-sized metropolitan areas. However, the full potential and the day when 5G phone service will be ubiquitous is still a few years away.

Current 5G Availability

While 5G is now available in many parts of the USA, it is not yet fully ubiquitous. The availability of 5G can vary by carrier and location, and it often requires a 5G capable device. T-Mobile has notably covered a significant portion of the country with low-band 5G in the band 71 cellular band. Other carriers are also contributing to the expansion, with varying degrees of coverage and capability.

Projection for 5G Expansion

The PwC report of January 2021 indicates that US mobile operators had collectively covered 75% of the country with 5G by July. This report outlines the following:

Verizon: Offering fixed and mobile 5G across the entire United States. ATT: Providing mobile 5G in thousands of cities. T-Mobile/Sprint: Available in thousands of locations. UScellular: Works in parts of California, Iowa, Maine, and other states. C Spire: Offering fixed and mobile 5G in Mississippi. Charter Spectrum Mobile: Began 5G service in March 2020. Comcast/Xfinity: Rolled out nationwide in October 2020. Starry: Providing fixed 5G in specific metropolitan areas. Google Fi: Offering nationwide coverage through T-Mobile. Nex-Tech Wireless: Expected to launch in 2021. US Mobile: 5G available on all plans. Mint Mobile: Available in thousands of US cities since July 2020. Cricket Wireless: Began services in August 2020. Visible: Utilizes Verizon's network. Dish: Anticipating a Q3 2021 launch.

While a significant portion of the US has 5G coverage, it is still far from achieving the kind of complete and ubiquitous coverage that 4G once had. The journey to complete 5G coverage is ongoing, and there is still room for this technology to mature.

Anticipation for Full Ubiquity

The timeline for when 5G will be ubiquitous across the entire US is debated. Experts predict that it could take 2 to 3 years before standalone 5G and 5G core are widely available. For 5G to be ubiquitous, experts are looking at a timeframe of 5 to 6 years. The maturation of 5G technology and the availability of 5G-capable devices by major players, particularly Apple, are viewed as key milestones in the mainstream adoption of 5G.

From a technology perspective, while there are areas with widespread 5G coverage, there is still a lot of room for improvement. This includes the need for better infrastructure, quicker deployment, and the development of more 5G-capable devices. The expansion of 5G networks by various carriers will continue to be a significant focus, with the expectation that the technology will eventually reach every corner of the country.