What is 5G and How Does It Work?
With so many different generations of mobile networks available, it can be difficult to understand the difference between them all. 5G is the latest generation of mobile network and offers increased speeds, lower latency and better reliability than 4G, but how does it work?
5G uses high-frequency radio waves (called mmWaves) to transmit information through the air. It uses much higher radio frequencies than previous generations so the information can travel faster. This results in much quicker upload and download speeds, in fact, 5G is around 100 faster than 4G.
Keep reading to learn more about what 5G is and how it works.
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What is 5G?
5G is the fifth-generation mobile network and is faster and more reliable than its predecessor, 4G. It was first introduced in the UK in May 2019 and initially, it was only available in major cities and to EE and Vodafone customers. However, 5G is now offered by all four of the UK’s main mobile network operators (MNOs) and between 61% and 79% of premises can now receive 5G outdoor coverage from at least one MNO in the UK (Connected Nations UK Report 2024). The UK aims to provide “nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas of the UK by 2030”, according to the 5G in the UK Research Briefing.
How Fast Is 5G?
5G speeds can range from 100 Mbps to 20 Gbps, depending on the mobile network operator, location, time of day and signal strength. With the potential for 20 Gbps for downloads and 10 Gbps for uploads, 5G is around 100 times faster than 4G.
How Does 5G Work?
5G works using radio frequencies to carry information through the air, like previous generations of mobile networks. However, 5G uses higher radio frequencies that are less cluttered which allows it to transmit information faster. These higher frequencies are called ‘millimetre waves’ (mmWaves) and have wavelengths between 1 and 10 millimetres. mmWaves are produced by small, low-power cells called small cells.
These higher frequencies are faster at carrying information, but they can be more easily blocked by physical barriers and are only effective over short distances. 5G uses multiple input and output antennae to boost signal strength and capacity and reduce this interference. Smaller transmitters are also used which can be placed on buildings, rather than large mobile phone masts.
What is 5G Network Slicing?
5G technology can also ‘slice’ a physical mobile network into multiple virtual networks. Each ‘slice’ can be tailored to a specific application. For example, one ‘slice’ with ultra-low latency and high reliability could be reserved for mission-critical uses such as autonomous cars or surgical applications. This would be separate from the main mobile broadband ‘slice’ to ensure that mission-critical applications are not negatively affected by increased non-critical usage.
Network slicing requires a new generation of 5G called 5G Standalone (5G SA) which is currently only being delivered in the UK by Vodafone, EE and O2 and only in select locations. This network also offers improved speeds, lower latency and improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and automation.
Although 5G SA network slicing is still in the early stages of commercialisation and widespread adoption, it still offers incredibly exciting opportunities for networks to be tailored to different customers and applications. As an example of how this technology can be used, Vodafone recently dedicated a ‘slice’ of its network at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival to connect 101 EBC payment machines and increase their reliability, improving the experience for festival goers.
What’s the Difference Between 4G and 5G?
The main difference between 4G and 5G is that 5G offers faster speeds, lower latency and higher capacity making it more suitable for a wider range of applications. 5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G and can be used for advanced applications such as AR, VR and IoT devices.
There is also a new generation of 5G, called 5G Standalone (5G SA) which involves the deployment of a new core 5G network (non-standalone 5G is supported by the 4G core network). 5G Standalone offers even higher speeds, ultra-low latency and network slicing capabilities, enabling new use cases such as robotics and automation. It is currently only available in limited locations in the UK, but more widespread availability is expected in the future. In 2024, 3,300 new 5G SA sites were reported, an increase of 1,300 from the previous year.
| 4G | 5G | 5G Standalone | |
| Speed | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 20 Gbps | Up to 800 Gbps |
| Latency | 20-40 ms | 1 ms | Less than 1 ms |
| Capacity | Up to 100,000 devices per km² | Up to 1 million devices per km² | Up to 1 million devices per km² |
| UK Coverage Outdoors | More than 99% of premises | 61% – 79% of premises | No data |
| Radio Frequency | 800MHz and 2.6GHz. | 700MHz and 3.4GHz to 3.6GHz | 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz |
| Base Stations | Cell-towers | Small-cells & cell towers (4G LTE core) | Small-cells & cell towers (5G core) |
| Applications | Streaming, web browsing, email, messaging & voice calls | High-definition streaming, cloud gaming, VR, AR & Internet of Things (IoT) | Remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, robotics & network slicing |
| Deployment Date in the UK | October 2012 | May 2019 | June 2023 |
Is 5G Better Than 4G?
Yes, 5G is considered to be better than 5G because it’s faster, more reliable and can support more devices and applications. 5G can be used more widely and support businesses that require real-time communication, low latency and high speeds, such as healthcare and manufacturing.
What are the Benefits of 5G?
5G offers a wide range of benefits for both consumers and businesses:
- Faster upload and download speeds. 5G is up to 100 faster than 4G, allowing for significantly faster upload and download speeds. For consumers, this allows for ultra-fast film and app downloads, while businesses can transfer files and data more quickly helping to increase efficiency.
- Lower latency and real-time communication. 5G offers ultra-low latency which is faster than human visual processing, making it possible to control devices remotely in near-real time. This opens the doors for a range of new applications, such as remote surgeries. It also offers exciting opportunities for consumers, including better VR, AR and gaming experiences.
- Better capacity and IoT applications. Offering up to 1,000 times more capacity than 4G, 5G offers opportunities for businesses to connect numerous IoT devices, such as sensors, monitors and trackers, to optimise and automate supply chain processes.
To learn more about the benefits of 5G for businesses, read our blog, ‘How Can 5G Help Businesses’.
Does 5G Have Better Coverage Than 4G?
Although 5G is becoming increasingly available in the UK, it’s still only available outside 61% – 79% of premises (compared to over 99% of outdoor premises for 4G). However, this percentage is likely significantly lower for indoor coverage as factors, such as building materials, can significantly weaken phone signals. This is especially true for 5G signals as they are transmitted by mmWaves which are only effective over short distances and are easily blocked by obstacles.
This can be highly frustrating for businesses that want to benefit from the faster speeds, lower latency and improved reliability of 5G technology or utilise advanced applications, such as IoT devices, to streamline their operations. If your business is struggling with poor indoor 5G signal strength, there is a solution to improving your connectivity – installing a high-performance 5G signal booster.
High-Performance 5G Mobile Phone Signal-Boosting Solutions by NetCov
At NetCov, we specialise in designing and installing high-quality 5G signal-boosting systems so businesses can benefit from enhanced 5G connectivity. We have worked with a wide range of industries to help them improve their 5G signal strength, including manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.
We offer high-performance signal boosters that boost the signal of all UK networks, including Three, Vodafone, EE and O2. All our boosters are Ofcom-approved, so you can be sure your business is fully compliant with all UK legislation.
Contact our team today to find out more about how we can help your business make the most of 5G connectivity or book your free consultation to get started.
5G FAQs
5G stands for ‘fifth generation’ and refers to the latest generation of mobile networks. It’s faster and more reliable than the fourth generation (4G).
5G was first made available in the UK in May 2019, when EE launched the country’s first 5G network. Now, all of the main UK mobile networks offer 5G and it is reasonably widely available (covering around 61% – 79% of outdoor premises).
If you’re not sure if 5G is available in your area, you can use a coverage checker to find out. You can use a non-network-specific coverage checker which will tell you the availability of Voice, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks for all UK networks in a specific postcode. Alternatively, you can use a network-specific coverage checker, such as this one from O2, to check if your current mobile network offers 5G in your area.
In the UK, 5G radio frequencies typically operate between 700MHz and 3.6GHz, with the primary band being between 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz. These high-frequency radio waves (called mmWaves) are capable of transmitting information much faster than lower-frequency waves. However, these high-frequency radio waves can only be broadcast over much shorter distances and struggle to pass through walls and other obstacles. So, 5G networks use a mixture of high (3.4GHz and 3.6GHz) and low-frequency (700 MHz and 1 GHz) waves to provide an ‘always on’ connection.
5G speeds can range from 100 Mbps to 20 Gbps, with the potential for 20 Gbps for downloads and 10 Gbps for uploads. However, actual speeds can vary based on location, time of day, network provider and signal strength. For example, EE reports an average speed of 146 Mbps for its 5G mobile broadband.
Because 5G is significantly faster than 4G, you might use more data without noticing it. However, 5G itself doesn’t use any more data than 4G. With 5G, you can stream higher-quality videos and download large files more quickly which means you’re likely to consume more mobile data because everything loads faster and in higher quality.
5G can use more battery than 4G in some scenarios. Non-Standalone 5G (5G NSA), which is the most widely available form of 5G, uses 5G for data but still uses 4G for calls and messages. This means your phone is connected to two different networks at once which can increase battery drain. Standalone 5G (5G SA) does not have this problem as it does not rely on the core 4G network.
If you have a poor 5G signal, this will also reduce your battery life as your phone has to work harder to get a connection. Installing a 5G signal booster can increase the strength of your 5G signal, helping to extend your device’s battery life.
Mobile phones and mobile towers transmit and receive radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation. This has caused concern that 5G is dangerous or harmful to health. However, this type of radiation is non-ionising and harmless. The radio waves used to transmit 5G signals are no different from the ones used throughout homes, including in computers, TVs, remote controls and microwaves. These signals are extremely weak and don’t have enough energy to cause adverse health effects.