The problem is that 5G has very low range (1000 ft, or less than 1/5 of a mile) and requires a high density of cell towers to cover an area. Carriers have been dragging on 5G deployment because of the cost, and not motivated because of lack of competition at many locations. To contrast, 4G has a range of 10 miles (more than 50 times the range of a 5G tower).
Another problem in the US is low 5G performance because of the radio spectrum being used.
https://arstechnica.com/information...ile-other-countries-hit-hundreds-of-megabits/
https://arstechnica.com/information...than-4g-in-nearly-every-city-tested-by-pcmag/
For remote areas, satellite internet is promising:
https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/3/2...te-constellation-download-speeds-space-lasers
There are two kinds of 5G networks: mmWave, which is the super-fast 5G that most people are talking about when they talk about 5G speed improvements, and sub-6GHz, the 5G that most people are going to experience for the time being.
mmWave refers to higher frequency radio bands ranging from 24GHz to 40GHz, and Sub-6GHz refers to mid and low-frequency bands under 6GHz. Low-frequency bands are under 1GHz, while mid-bands range from 3.4GHz to 6GHz and are not considered "mmWave."
mmWave 5G networks are ultra-fast, but they're also ultra-short range. To use mmWave technology, you need to be within about a block of a 5G tower, which isn't feasible in suburban and rural areas. mmWave spectrum is also blocked and obscured by doors, windows, trees, and walls, further limiting its available range, and because it requires so many towers for coverage, it's expensive for carriers to deploy.
mmWave's limitations make it best suited for dense, urban areas, or specific targeted spots like airports or concerts. In rural and suburban areas, mmWave technology is not practical because it doesn't have enough range, which is where the Sub-6GHz networks come in. Sub-6GHz 5G is faster than 4G, but it doesn't offer the blazing-fast speeds that you can get with mmWave. Since it has a longer range and can better penetrate objects, it's much more affordable for carriers to implement.