For rural coverage, fiber builds are _very_ expensive. For cities, you're right - 5G + high frequency wavelengths is probably cheaper - but not by that much as

For rural coverage, fiber builds are _very_ expensive. For cities, you're right - 5G + high frequency wavelengths is probably cheaper - but not by that much assuming SpaceX's numbers are accurate. The problem is 85% of the population is absolutely not covered by high frequency spectrum - tower/DAS coverage is optimized for sub 1Ghz bands. We would need billions upon billions of additional tower builds to deliver an adequate experience on spectrum that basically requires line of sight. Even in cities. Some of that has been invested already (e.g. VZ can reuse their Fios plant in many locations), but certainly not everywhere. Satellites may very well be more cost effective.