  Techno-economic assessment is a fundamental technique engineers use for
evaluating new communications technologies. However, despite the
techno-economics of the fifth cellular generation (5G) being an active research
area, it is surprising there are few comprehensive evaluations of this growing
literature. With mobile network operators deploying 5G across their networks,
it is therefore an opportune time to appraise current accomplishments and
review the state-of-the-art. Such insight can inform the flurry of 6G research
papers currently underway and help engineers in their mission to provide
affordable high-capacity, low-latency broadband connectivity, globally. The
survey discusses emerging trends from the 5G techno-economic literature and
makes five key recommendations for the design and standardization of Next
Generation 6G wireless technologies.
