Nationwide 5G competition among top US operators is set to ramp up in the second half of 2020, despite the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategy Analytics forecasts that US 5G subscribers will capture about 8.5% of total subscriptions by year end 2020. We analyze carrier positioning as well as recent survey results on how consumers have changed their 5G upgrade intentions due to the pandemic, and offer recommendations for increasing 5G growth.

1. Introduction: 2020 Still the Year for Nationwide 5G Competition, Despite COVID-19 Impacts
2. Carrier Positioning: Ready-ing to Ramp 5G
  2.1 Verizon
    5G start with mmWave
    Nationwide coverage by end 2020 with DSS
    5G service plans
    5G Deployment plans
    Broader 5G strategy and revenue impact
  2.2 AT&T
    5G mmWave
    Low-band 5G for nationwide coverage
    5G service plans for consumers
    5G for business
  2.3 T-Mobile
    5G service plans
    5G network deployment plans
3. But will Customers Buy? 5G Upgrade Cycle at Risk from COVID-19 Impacts
  3.1 Survey Shows: COVID-19 pandemic has substantial potential downside risk for
consumer plans to upgrade to 5G service
  3.2 Strategy Analytics US 5G Outlook: COVID-19 Slows Growth in 2020-21
    3.2.1 US 5G Forecasts: Subscriptions and Service Revenues
    3.2.2 Assumptions
4. Implications and Recommendations
  4.1 Recommendations: Address Key Questions, Know Your Customers, Innovate & Iterate
5. How Can We Help You?