# Cost-Benefit Assessment of 5G Rollout: Insights from Brazil
## 5 Conclusions  
This study addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of 5G technology in the southern region of Brazil, providing valuable information on costs and deployment strategies. The comparative analysis of infrastructure costs between Brazil and Europe revealed discrepancies, with Brazil showing higher tower costs and lower costs for radio equipment and residential CPE. In Brazil, the regulatory framework for infrastructure sharing is primarily defined by Anatel's Resolution No. 683/2017 [17], which approves the Regulation for Sharing Support Infrastructure for the Provision of Telecommunications Services. This regulation mandates the sharing of support infrastructure, such as towers and ducts, among service providers, aiming to optimize resource utilization and reduce operational costs. However, practical implementation faces challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, a lack of enforcement mechanisms, and asymmetries in operator bargaining power. These issues are particularly pronounced in rural areas, where economic incentives are lower and deployment costs are higher. To enhance the feasibility and cost-efficiency of 5G rollouts, it is recommended that regulatory authorities consider expanding incentives for active sharing models and enhancing oversight to ensure compliance. Moreover, the creation of a national infrastructure database--integrating geospatial data and real-time availability--could facilitate the coordination and planning of shared deployments, especially in underserved regions. The investigation also underscored the potential of the neutral host network (NHN) model, which could offer a cost-effective solution for 5G deployment in rural areas by lowering both CAPEX and OPEX. Furthermore, the cluster-based approach, tailored to population density and geographic characteristics, shows promise for optimizing infrastructure adaptation and resource allocation. Cost analysis, when integrated into strategic planning, plays a critical role in optimizing both investment allocation and revenue potential in 5G deployments. By quantifying CAPEX and OPEX across different geographic profiles, operators can prioritize regions with higher expected returns or identify where infrastructure sharing models (such as the NHN) may be essential to achieve viability. For instance, in rural areas with low population density and limited economic activity, cost-sharing arrangements can significantly reduce fixed costs, making deployment feasible. In urban centers, the same data can support decisions on densification and the deployment of small cells to maximize spectrum reuse and throughput. Additionally, by aligning cost structures with projected demand and usage patterns, operators can design tailored service offerings that improve customer uptake and revenue generation. Thus, cost assessments not only highlight economic feasibility but also support a targeted, adaptive deployment strategy that enhances overall network profitability. In conclusion, the successful implementation of 5G in Brazil, especially in the southern region, requires a strategic approach that takes into account regional differences, infrastructure costs, and the regulatory landscape around tower sharing. By adopting efficient cost models and exploring innovative technologies like the NHN, these challenges can be addressed, paving the way for a greater deployment of 5G in urban and rural areas. Future work can build on these findings, tailoring solutions to Brazil's unique market and infrastructure conditions for a more effective implementation of 5G nationwide. Conceptualization, J.R. and D.d.S.V. and X.L.T. ; methodology, J.R.; formal analysis, J.R.; investigation, J.R.; resources, J.R.; data curation, J.R.; writing--original draft preparation, J.R.; writing--review and editing, J.R. and D.d.S.V. and X.L.T. ; visualization, J.R. and D.d.S.V. and X.L.T. ; supervision, J.R. and D.d.S.V. and X.L.T. ; project administration, D.d.S.V. and X.L.T. ; funding acquisition, X.L.T.