While 5G is undeniably faster and more efficient, its global coverage is still patchy. Many rural areas and even some urban areas do not yet have 5G coverage. Depending on where you live or frequently travel, you might not be able to take advantage of 5G speeds after upgrading your phone.
With 5G, you can expect higher download speeds when using mobile data, lower latency (the time it takes for a device to respond to information or an action), increased reliability and more network capacity. Basically, 5G is faster and more stable than 4G, and it's capable of connecting a lot more devices.
5G data speeds are super fast, potentially offering download speeds of one gigabit per second (1 Gbps) or faster, but it's still in the early days. Maximum 5G speeds are theoretically faster than those offered by the NBN, which offers potential speeds up to 1Gbps.
The growth of 5G networks doesn't mean 4G is going away. Mobile carriers will use existing 4G LTE networks to provide their customers' cell service well into the next decade. 5G networks will work with 4G — not outright replace it. The upshot is that 5G-capable cell phones will still use 4G technology.
Is it OK to buy a 4G phone in 2023? 4G phones still work on 4G LTE networks for now, but eventually they will become obsolete. Consider how long you plan to keep your phone; if you plan to keep your phone for longer than a year or so, it might be a good idea to get a phone that is 5G compatible.
The Transition from 4G to 5G
DSS provides improved coverage for 5G devices and greater longevity for 4G LTE devices. The first 4G LTE sunset announcements are expected after 2030, which means that companies can safely invest in 4G-based IoT solutions today and for the foreseeable future.
No, 4G LTE shutdown will not be happening for atleast a decade. Therefore, the thing to remember is that 4G will not be going away anytime soon, regardless of how fast the 5G network grows. The plan is for existing 4G LTE networks to be used by carriers well into 2030.
- No, not at all. If you are using a 4G smartphone, there's no need to discard it for the sake of getting 5G. At least for the next two years, 4G LTE could remain the mainstream way to connect. Hence, your 4G smartphone will continue to work as nicely as it does today.
5G broadband has an advantage over some types of NBN that use copper cabling. WhistleOut states that 5G plans can provide speeds of up to 200Mbps or higher. In areas that use slower connection types, like Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fixed Wireless, typically cap at 100Mbps.
Telstra took first place for 5G reach, scoring 5.2 points on OpenSignal's 10-point scale. The telco was closely followed by Vodafone at 5 points, and Optus in third with 3.9 points. While Telstra is the clear winner for the size and reach of its 5G network, Vodafone is superior for 5G availability.
Do I need to change my SIM card from 4G to 5G? No, 4G SIM cards are forward compatible with 5G networks. You can use 5G services with your existing 4G SIM.
Truth is 5G is a new technology that can use more battery on your smartphone due to its higher power consumption and heat generation. It's not as energy-efficient as 4G LTE. The issue of battery drain is more pronounced with non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks, which rely on existing 4G infrastructure.
Though 5G is typically the fastest mobile Internet connection, reliability can be a challenge. WiFi offers a faster, more reliable Internet connection when combined with a reliable router and a reliable Internet plan.
3G and 4G are not disappearing anytime soon. If you don't have a 5G phone, that's fine. You can still access super-fast and extensive 4G coverage on the Telstra network until you're ready for a new 5G device. The 3G network will be decommissioned in 2024.
Q: How will 5G affect me? A: 5G is designed to do a variety of things that can transform our lives, including giving us faster download speeds, low latency, and more capacity and connectivity for billions of devices—especially in the areas of virtual reality (VR), the IoT, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Additionally, the manufacturing and maintenance of the new technologies associated with 5G creates waste and uses important resources that have detrimental consequences for the environment. 5G networks use technology that has harmful effects on birds, which in turn has cascading effects through entire ecosystems.
While 5G will succeed 4G, it will not replace it. 4G and 5G networks will exist simultaneously, and 3G networks will keep kicking around for some time. Telstra is currently the only telco to have provided an end date for 3G, and plans to keep the network active until June 2024.
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
The main reason for network shutdowns is that the carriers have limited spectrum available for expansion. In order to provide a faster, more responsive network to their customers, they must repurpose the spectrum to support newer, more efficient cellular technology.
Absolutely yes. Almost every smartphone can switch between 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks depending on the fastest one available in your area.
For most mobile users the end of 3G will not be an issue, as modern phones connect to 4G or 5G, but some people with older phones will need to replace their devices or Sim cards.
Carriers continue to upgrade 4G networks, and both download speeds and latency are still improving. Even though carriers are spending more time and resources on 5G wireless technology, 4G networks will likely continue to provide faster speeds across the board.
A 4GB data plan will allow you to browse the internet for around 48 hours, to stream 800 songs or to watch 8 hours of standard-definition video. Nowadays, the key difference between mobile phone price plans is how many gigabytes of data it comes with.