A multicarrier DAS is $5-$10 per square foot up front and expensive to maintain - these costs typically do not fall on the carrier but deals can be struck depending on volume. 5G looks to minimize the number of locations that need a DAS in the first place so the places that couldn't get a deal don't need one and the ones that could can be covered cheaper by the carrier than the deal would have been for the carrier. Solutions like Wi-Fi Passpoint look to provide a far cheaper alternative (and avoid things like single carrier DAS which is cheaper but only fixes the problem for some) for cases density is sky high (like stadiums) or the location not otherwise coverable.
A DAS can certainly be an answer but it's never been a very attractive one, and that's from when there weren't other options on the horizon.
A DAS can certainly be an answer but it's never been a very attractive one, and that's from when there weren't other options on the horizon.