5G has officially launched in the United Kingdom across three of the major UK networks. But what exactly does that mean, and why is it better than 3G or 4G?
5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity available from 3G and 4G, offering much faster and reliable connections on mobile devices.
So, what is the point in upgrading to 5G if both 3G and 4G work fine for general day-to-day usage in most places? Well, 5G makes it so networks are able to offer higher download and upload speeds whilst increasing the total number of connections to the network at one time. Although hugely beneficial to mobile devices, that isn’t all 5G is capable of supporting.
5G networks will help to massively drive Internet of Things (IoT) technology by providing the infrastructure necessary to transfer bulk amounts of data. IoT will make driverless cars possible by enabling vehicles to instantly communicate with each other and connect to live road maps for traffic updates and re-routing.
So how does 5G compare to 4G and 3G in real-life application for your average mobile device users? Well, 4G offers around 60 Mbps download speeds in major cities, which is considerably faster than the average 15 Mbps download speeds offered via 3G. However, 5G is expected to offer download speeds averaging 1 Gbps (1024 Mbps).
5G is currently available in only a select few cities in the UK, with countless more expected to launch in the coming months. To view the full list and see if your city supports 5G coverage, click here.
To access the 5G networks, you’ll need a 5G compatible device, and a 5G tariff with your mobile phone provider. At the time of writing, there are currently only a select few 5G devices on the market. For more information on the devices available, please contact us.