DARPA Explores Tech To Boost 5G Signals

It is all about the Frequencies that 5G is deployed into that limits the range of the signal. The most recent spectrum options are still in the UHF / SHF range, so they won't propagate far but they can carry more data. Looks like the AT&T and Verizon 5G plan is to have lots of smaller 5G deployments and share spectrum with the 4G LTE footprint to have 5G coverage 'all over'. It really means slowing down the 4G LTE footprint because it must be shared. It will take many years for true 5G coverage in the U.S. and world-wide.