US cell towers and small cells: By the numbers
CTIA, which mainly represents the big 5G network
While China leads in sheer numbers, the U.S. is making steady progress. By late 2023, the country had between 150,000 and 200,000 active 5G base stations. The deployment strategy in the U.S. is different from China's, as it relies on private investment rather than government-led initiatives. Is this article too long?
They help fill coverage gaps, improve network reliability, and handle high data traffic. In cities, more than 60% of 5G base stations are small cells, placed on rooftops, lampposts, and building facades. These mini base stations are crucial for delivering consistent 5G speeds in crowded areas like stadiums, shopping malls, and business districts.
By the end of 2021, there were 418,887 operational cell sites across the nation, and that doesn't account for all the new 5G base stations added to existing cell sites.19 Federal and state siting reforms encouraged the rapid deployment of 5G, with 62 percent of cell sites built from 2016 to 2021 coming after reforms were made.
The U.S. has ambitious plans for 5G expansion, aiming to have more than 300,000 active base stations by 2025. This goal is being driven by investment from private telecom providers and government initiatives like the Rural 5G Fund. For businesses in the U.S., this means increasing access to high-speed connectivity.
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