According to the OpenSignal report, 5G is both difficult to connect with and the download speeds are depressingly slow. Most of the stats aren't very inspiring for consumers looking to upgrade to 5G phones, including the 5G iPhone from Apple (AAPL) expected in time for the holidays.
The report shows that Verizon Communications (VZ) led the 5G race with download speeds of 723 Mbps while both T-Mobile (TMUS) and Sprint (S) had networks generating speeds closer to 200 Mbps due to either mmWave or 2.5 GHz networks. These speeds will warrant customer interest. Both AT&T and T-Mobile have low-band networks that aren't actually generating 5G speeds with downloads more in the 4G range of 50 Mbps.
While some of the 5G networks gave glimpses of truly fast download speeds, none of the networks provided any of the coverage expected by users. Only T-Mobile's 600 MHz network connected to 5G over 50% of the time, while AT&T only saw connection rates barely top 10%. Verizon trailed the group at 6% connection rates suggesting one will hardly ever connected to a truly fast network.
As these tests clearly show, 5G isn't ready for primetime and uninformed consumers are likely to be very unhappy with services that don't deliver as advertised.
The problem is that consumers want the combination of the 5G network with more coverage and the 5G+ speeds now.