That’s a critical problem, because although 5G networks serve wireless devices, they still need extensive land-based fiber systems —i n fact, much more extensive systems than the existing 4G technology. “It may sound paradoxical,” Crawford writes, “but the future of advanced wireless services depends completely on how much fiber is in place.” At the moment, there’s not enough of it in the U.S. to meet the needs of 5G, and the big private companies will not and can not raise the private capital needed to build more, at least not from investors looking for a quick return on their money. Basic infrastructure “requires patient capital,” Crawford observes.
Source: latimes.com – Los Angeles Times