Carriers have slowed their investments into the expansion of 5G networks, although there is optimism that the market will pick up, analysts and vendors say. They point to the resistance of localities to construction of 5G infrastructure and telecoms' caution in ensuring they will receive adequate returns on their investments as two factors contributing to the slowdown.

The Federal Communications Commission agreed unanimously on new rules that establish procedures for confirming that telecoms receiving Universal Service Fund grants support minimum speed and quality standards. The agency also agreed to adopt "target modifications" that offer service providers some leeway in meeting deadlines as well as providing compliance cost concessions to smaller telecoms.

The Federal Communications Commission has allocated $65.7 million from the Universal Service Fund to 186 companies representing about 106,000 homes to extend broadband service to rural telecoms that meet the agency's download speed minimum requirement. The operators agreed to accept the agency's Alternative Connect America Cost Model grants in exchange for providing broadband to a specified number of targets by 2028.

Carriers are asking federal regulators to provide some instruction to states and localities regarding fees they can charge telecoms for network upgrades, including small-cell deployments. Some Federal Communications Commission members have already expressed support for the carriers' position.