5G doesn't magically extend range. It is still using the same frequencies and range is going to be about the same as 4G. The high-bandwidth (and low range that the other comments are talking about) is just a different frequency that 5G can run on. It's like the difference between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wifi. I say range, but really it's penetration through walls and such.
So in rural areas, you'd be more interested in range/penetration, but there's only so much you can do with trees, hills, etc. in between you and the transmitter. Starlink has no obstacles between you and the satellite, and it runs at 10+Ghz giving more bandwidth.
Meanwhile T-mobile purchased the 600 Mhz band that used to be used for broadcast TV for their 'extended range LTE/5G'.
> 100 degree cone free from any obstacles, 25 degrees up from the horizon
Yeah, but that's not really a tall order, particularly in the kinds of places where 4G/5G coverage is bad or nonexistent. Maybe not where you're deep in a gorge or under a tree canopy, but lots of the wilderness is open space, or at least has open space accessible.
And people in rural areas are already used to putting up towers to get crappy wifi over line of sight to the next neighbor/town. Dishy on a stick won’t be a major hurdle.
So in rural areas, you'd be more interested in range/penetration, but there's only so much you can do with trees, hills, etc. in between you and the transmitter. Starlink has no obstacles between you and the satellite, and it runs at 10+Ghz giving more bandwidth.
Meanwhile T-mobile purchased the 600 Mhz band that used to be used for broadcast TV for their 'extended range LTE/5G'.