In the 3G and 4G eras, 2-GHz frequencies raised indoor signal reception issues that had not been such a problem during the 2G era. Those problems will increase as mid-band frequencies (2.5 GHz to 6 GHz) are used to support 5G. But millimeter wave frequencies will be something altogether different.
It is possible to colocate 5G radios at existing 4G sites and preserve half to 80 percent of the 4G coverage area, when using millimeter wave spectrum at 28 GHz, Qualcomm has estimated.
Indoor coverage is quite another matter, though. “Millimeter outdoor-to-indoor coverage for mobile is not feasible,” Qualcomm has noted. In other words, millimeter wave spectrum used outdoors will not be available indoors at all.
We might reasonably guess that large enterprise venues (sports stadiums, convention centers, airports, large retail malls) will have separate indoor coverage provided directly by mobile operators.
What happens at smaller sites is the issue. Fallback to 4G and Wi-Fi for consumers at home is one obvious option. It also is possible that small businesses and organizations might ultimately use the Wi-Fi model to supply their own indoor 5G coverage.
In many mid-range settings, it is possible that third parties will provide neutral host facilities.
Much hinges on the business models and costs of each option. Fallback to 4G for mobile voice and texting, with Wi-Fi for data, is likely the most-affordable scenario for mobile operators.
Indoor neutral host will be the best business model for would-be indoor infrastructure companies, supplying service either to mobile service providers or enterprises.
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