On the 5G topic, time is the best friend of any MNO

 With many 5G ongoing trials and imminent roll-outs planned, time is proven to be the best friend of any MNO because:

1. It allows any MNO to evaluate correctly all options for 5G RAN equipment suppliers including cRAN and vRAN options. One example here.
2. From investment point of view openRAN alliance and Open Air Interface  are making significant steps into becoming a good potential partner for any MNO. 
3. It gives a favor to operator to rollout 5G when 5G smartphone market will be large enough; up to now no major news from major brands like Samsung and Huawei regarding a 5G smartphone . Same from Apple. Those 3 players dominate the smartphone market. Although there will be 5G smartphones available starting from 25th of October 2018 it is likely that majority of population will wait for big players (Apple, Samsung and Huawei) before upgrading to 5G smartphones. Users simply like their smartphone brand and not willing to change it easily to another supplier.
4. On a long span it allows advantage for the MNO to benefit from maturity of equipment on both RAN side and 5G smartphones if they have enough patience.
5. Time is offering a good window to evaluate all business cases for 5G and proceed with deployment when market will be ready for 5G adoption.
6. Although spectrum purchased in early moments (considered a long term investment) 5G momentum is different MNO by MNO, country by country, continent to continent. There’s no necessary immediate roll-out after spectrum purchasing but ongoing trials in few cities to understand population/enterprise’s perception about 5G.
7. It gives MNO the possibility to realize that their business model is going to change a lot not necessarily in the right direction 

All they need to do is to give time, to time. All the playing cards are in the MNOs hands. They just need to decide when, how and with whom to make the best out of those cards. Rush has no place in such a major decision.