UScellular CEO says network sharing will be a necessity

UScellular CEO LT Therival is reviving the concept of network sharing as a way to reduce costs and make 5G deployments feasible in rural America. Network sharing isn’t a new phenomenon but traditionally US operators have been opposed to any network sharing arrangements, other than sharing space on cell towers. This attitude is quite different from other regions of the world where network sharing is more commonplace. Therival has reiterated his belief that it doesn’t make sense to build four or five duplicative 5G networks in rural America. “It’s difficult to justify when you have really low customer density,” he said. Instead, Therival said that he believes network sharing is going to be a necessity. “We’re pursuing conversations to that end,” he said, noting that these types of deals don’t happen quickly but that he believes there’s opportunity for some type of network sharing arrangement.