A newly released survey found that a majority of Americans are looking forward to 5G networks — even if they require the installation small cellular equipment in their neighborhoods.
PwC last month commissioned an online survey of a representative sample of 800 Americans aged 18 to 64 with access to the internet.
Sixty percent of respondents were familiar with the term 5G and, after it was defined by the polling firm, nearly three-quarters said the concept was “very appealing.”
Nearly 70 percent, meanwhile, felt that the benefits of 5G — most commonly noted in the survey as faster speeds, better reliability and improved data plans — outweighed any aesthetic concerns with small cells.
A full 86 percent of participants said they would support small cells if they blended in with their surroundings, but 60 percent said they didn’t care about appearances whatsoever “as long as I get faster internet.”
The Federal Communications Commission recently exempted small cells from federal oversight and continues to examine ways to ease state and local regulations on smaller wireless infrastructure.
“Consumers feel that the additional equipment is a small price to pay to enjoy faster download speeds and more cost-efficient data plans,” PwC analysts said.
Despite the public’s apparent embrace of 5G, just 30 percent of respondents said they would rush to buy a 5G device if it became available, while 70 percent indicated they would wait for their next phone upgrade.
U.S. carriers are racing to deploy 5G networks in coming months, and the first devices with 5G chipsets are expected to hit the market next year.
Filed Under: 5G
