5G: Facts and Fiction Behind Next Generation Cellular

5G development is moving forward at full speed. As we look toward the future of a 5G-connected world, it’s important to understand that 5G is more than a minor enhancement. It’s a technological revolution. 

As such, the hype around fifth generation wireless has spurred rumors, misconceptions, and myths about its potential and impact. With carriers rolling out their 5G networks and making progress every day, users need to be able to separate the myths from the reality. 

Let’s look at the facts and fiction surrounding 5G towers, networks, devices, and future connectivity. 

Fact: 5G is the latest generation of cellular networks. 

5G builds upon previous generations of cellular network technology to bring you lightning-fast speed over a cellular connection. Mobile networks have come a long way in the decades since 1G was first introduced.

Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G mobile networks:

1G Networks

Released: 1979

Maximum Speed: 2.4 Kbps

Rolling out in the 1980s, the first generation of mobile technology introduced the world to analog cell phones. 1G allowed users to make voice calls, but it came with poor battery life, low reliability, and poor call quality. 

2G Networks

Released: 1991

Maximum Speed: 50 Kbps

Introduced in the 1990s, second generation networks transitioned from analog to digital standards, including GSM and CDMA. 2G ushered in digital voice communication and simple SMS texting. 

3G Networks

Released: 2002

Maximum Speed: 3 Mbps

Third generation networks enhanced mobile data capabilities to allow for image sharing, GPS tracking, and web browsing. 3G networks have been decommissioned in most places, but they still matter to users that have limited access to newer mobile networks.

4G Networks 

Released: 2009

Maximum Speed: 100 Mbps

Beginning in 2009, fourth generation networks are all about data, high-speed mobile internet, HD multimedia streaming, and enhanced smart device capabilities. With download speeds 10 times faster than 3G, 4G LTE is still operating today.

5G Networks

Released: 2019

Maximum Speed: 20 Gbps

First launched in 2019 in limited areas, fifth generation networks are designed for a connected world. With lower latency and fiber-like speed over a cellular connection, 5G is a dramatic improvement on 4G LTE. However, the lightning-fast speeds of mmWave 5G have a limited range and coverage area. Carriers are currently bridging the gap in 5G coverage by leveraging the existing 4G LTE network to support carrier aggregation. This is where carriers enhance the speed of data transfer by combining multiple radio frequency channels from different bands. It allows mobile devices to use more than one band simultaneously, increasing the capacity of data transfer and improving network performance.

Fiction: 5G makes 4G LTE obsolete.

As the next generation of cellular connectivity, 5G is expected to replace 4G LTE at some point in the future, but it’s going to be a while. In fact, experts believe that full 5G adoption is still decades away. As it currently stands, 4G LTE is here to stay. While mmWave 5G networks support higher data rates, they can only provide coverage to a small area. Thus, the majority of smartphone users will continue to rely on the 4G LTE network well into 2030 and beyond.  

Fact: Carrier rollout of 5G has already begun.

T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon all offer 5G coverage. 5G standards operate on a range of frequencies, including the low-band, mid-band, and high-band wavelength spectrum. However, high-frequency millimeter waves (mmWave) can’t travel long distances and are easily blocked by common building materials. For that reason, 5G mmWave networks are limited in availability and will require time and infrastructure to fully roll out. 

Major carriers currently operate Nationwide 5G, which uses existing 4G LTE frequency bands. Carrier aggregation combines multiple channels and bands to allow more data to transfer at faster speeds. Combine this with Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), and 5G Nationwide can run 4G LTE and 5G simultaneously. 

Major carriers throughout the United States are working to improve the availability of their 5G networks. This process will involve building new 5G towers, deploying small cell 5G networks, and upgrading existing towers with 5G technology. Below, find links to coverage maps of 5G availability in your area.

Verizon

Visit the Verizon coverage map to see what network is available in your area. 

T-Mobile

Find out if T-Mobile 5G is available in your area with this coverage map.

AT&T 

If you currently use AT&T, check here to see if 5G coverage is available where you live.

Curious about what 5G towers look like? Here’s a look at a 5G node from Verizon:

Fiction: Your 5G phone won’t work with 4G.

Because 5G will not be replacing 4G LTE anytime soon, all 5G-ready phones will still be compatible with existing 4G networks. So you can breathe a sign of relief there.

In order to take full advantage of mmWave and Ultra Wideband 5G, you will need a 5G-capable phone. You’ll be glad to know that most newer phones are 5G compatible. Even on a 4G device you may see higher speeds and data rates, but this improvement is from 4G LTE carrier aggregation. This technique enhances 4G LTE performance but does not actually provide the fiber-like speeds mmWave 5G promises.  

Fiction: 5G makes cell signal boosters obsolete.

From ultra-high transmission speeds to game-changing low-latency connections, mmWave 5G has the potential to revolutionize the modern world.  With all this on the horizon, you may wonder what next-generation mobile networks will mean for cell signal amplifiers. If you have a weBoost, you don’t need to worry.

The high frequencies that give 5G technology so much promise also make it more difficult for 5G signals to pass through common building materials and provide the same coverage we get with 4G LTE. For this reason, cell signal boosters will remain crucial to future generations of cellular networks. With both man-made and natural obstructions continuing to get in the way, cell signal amplifiers will work to overcome these common obstacles. 

Since 5G infrastructure is being built alongside existing 4G networks, 4G LTE is expected to act as a fallback when a mobile user doesn’t have 5G coverage in their area. weBoost cell signal boosters work on every network (including 5G) and on any U.S. carrier — helping users overcome network challenges and achieve a stronger, more reliable signal.

Fact: weBoost cell signal boosters work with 5G.

In an effort to provide the best possible signal to more customers, major carriers will continue expanding their offering of low-band, Nationwide 5G. weBoost cell signal boosters are 5G-ready and work with every U.S. carrier. 

Want to learn more about our current lineup of 5G signal boosters? Shop our selection or contact us today for more information on how weBoost supports the 5G movement.