5G
5G is the latest technology for mobile telecommunications. On this page, we explain more about the concept of 5G, how the technology differs from previous generations of networks, and how to access all the benefits that 5G brings.
What is 5G?
The fifth generation network, more commonly known as 5G, is largely an advancement of the fourth generation network that we commonly refer to as 4G. However, 5G is based on a completely different technology than all previous network generations. It can therefore offer significantly higher speeds, greater capacity, and lower latency.
Did you know? Latency is a term that describes the time between a click and an event. For example, if you like a post on Instagram, there is a slight delay before your like appears under the post. 5G has response times as low as just a few milliseconds, compared to up to 35 milliseconds in 4G.
Today, all major providers in the UK have active 5G networks, as do several of the smaller operators. That said, it’s not guaranteed that all their services support 5G, so double-check with your specific provider. To connect to the provider’s 5G network, you also need a 5G-compatible device.
How does 5G differ from previous networks?
The main differences between 5G and previous generations of networks are the speeds, capacity, and response times. And since the networks are based on different technologies, this is not surprising.
It was 4G that in many ways paved the way for the technology that we more or less take for granted today, but the capacity is not large enough to meet our growing digital and connectivity demands. 5G uses higher frequency bands than older networks, known as millimetre wave frequency, up to 300 GHz. It is thanks to the higher frequency that 5G can provide truly high speeds, minimal latency, and a more stable connection.
A higher frequency also means greater capacity for so-called ‘beamforming’. This is a technology that allows a network to direct data streams directly to connected devices, instead of broadcasting signals in all directions in the case of, for example, 4G/LTE networks. In other words, 5G networks make better use of signal strength.
What does MIMO mean for 5G?
The large capacity of the 5G network is largely due to Multiple Input Multiple Output technology. The technology, commonly abbreviated as MIMO, allows multiple users to use the same connection simultaneously with multiple antennas on a transmitter and receiver. MIMO is similar to MU-MIMO (Multiple User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) which is typically used to connect multiple users and devices to a WiFi network in a home.
The higher frequency, along with support for MIMO, not only provides higher data speeds but also improves network throughput with a reduced risk of so-called bottlenecks.
Which provider has the best 5G network?
According to Opensignal’s latest test, the EE 5G network has the best network coverage, while Three’s 5G network is the fastest. But keep in mind that Opensignal’s measurements are based on customers’ experiences when they are connected to the network and actually have network coverage, which can yield different results than measurements conducted using other methods that focus more on overall network quality.
How much faster is 5G compared to 4G?
On paper, 5G is up to 20 times faster than 4G. The theoretical top speed for 4G is 1 Gbit/s, which can be compared to 20 Gbit/s for 5G. However, these are the maximum speeds for each network, and not something an average consumer can realistically expect to achieve.
According to the Ofcom study Mobile Matters 2024, average 4G speeds are still far below the maximum. With that in mind, it is therefore unlikely that current 5G speeds would be anywhere near the 20 Gbit/s that the technology is capable of. However, based on the tests conducted (under real-world conditions), the evidence indicates 5G will eventually become significantly faster than 4G.
Something that will hopefully accelerate this development is 5G SA (Standalone Access), which several British providers have already launched or will launch in the near future.
What does 5G SA mean?
5G SA has an infrastructure that connects the 5G radio network directly to the 5G core network (5G-core). The technology is therefore completely independent of 4G, and this is what distinguishes 5G SA from 5G NSA (Non-Standalone Access). SA can be described as the ultimate form of 5G, often described as ‘real 5G’, capable of delivering the high speeds and quick response times that the fifth generation network promises.
What is 5G NSA?
5G NSA (Non-Standalone Access) can be described as a transitional technology between 4G and 5G. As the name suggests, NSA is not entirely based on 5G but is built on an existing 4G core network EPC (Evolved Packet Core). NSA has made it easier for providers to expand 5G networks as they have often been able to reuse the existing 4G infrastructure.
The advantages of 5G SA compared to 5G NSA
- Higher upload and download speeds
- Improved network performance in crowded places
- Enhanced end-to-end security
- More energy efficient
What will happen to 4G, 3G and 2G?
Both the 2G and 3G networks are gradually being phased out across the UK (as with the rest of the world) to help develop the 4G and 5G networks. 4G is not going to disappear immediately; instead, it will be gradually modernised and become both more powerful and secure than it is today.
When it comes to 3G, each provider has set its own timetable for the phase-out. According to information from Ofcom, both Vodafone and EE shut down their 3G networks at the beginning of 2024, and Three has now also shut down 3G in most parts of the UK. O2 plans to shut down its 3G network sometime in 2025.
Info! Your provider will notify you if you are affected by the shutdown and inform you of what you need to do. If you have an older device that may only support 2G and 3G, you should upgrade to a device that supports at least 4G.
All MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) have confirmed they will shut down 2G by 2033, but it is up to each provider to decide if they will close the network earlier than that.
