What Is 5G?

5G is the newest and fastest mobile internet technology. Companies like Verizon and T-Mobile are using their 5G networks to deliver cell phone service and home internet service.

While 5G is still not as widely available as 4G LTE, its footprint is quickly growing throughout the U.S. In many rural areas where broadband internet is lacking, the introduction of 5G internet service from the big three mobile carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—is a game changer.

We’ve done the research and talked to a preeminent 5G expert to bring you everything you need to know about 5G, including speeds, availability, and how to sign up. But first, let’s talk more about the fundamentals. What makes 5G so special?

Like any new technology, 5G can be a little bit confusing. So we interviewed Dr. Alex Wyglinski, a professor of electrical engineering and robotics and the director of the Wireless Innovation Laboratory at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, to give us a real expert take on 5G. If anyone understands this stuff, it’s him.

First of all, Dr. Wyglinski explains, the “G” in 5G just stands for “generation”. So 5G is the fifth generation of wireless internet technology.

“With the first generation of cell phones, everyone was just saying, ‘Wow, I can connect to a wireless network, and I don’t have to use a payphone,’” says Dr. Wyglinski. “Then 2G comes out, and now some devices can text and do a little bit of data transfer. Then 3G came along and built upon the lessons learned of 2G, and now you have the capabilities [like email]. Then 4G came out in the 2010s and that’s when things really began taking off.”

With 4G, cell phone users saw truly fast internet, bringing us into the era of Instagram, doom scrolling, and mobile gaming. But, as Dr. Wyglinski explains, “Folks in the industry were wondering, ‘What’s the next step?’”

Of course, it was 5G. Just like previous cell phone technologies, 5G uses a series of towers. But, as Dr. Wyglinski told us, it requires “a lot of new wireless bandwidth that was freed up in the United States” by the FCC. This new bandwidth allowed 5G technology, which uses a higher frequency than previous networks, to transmit data faster and with lower latency.

You may have heard different terms attached to 5G in advertisements and marketing. There’s Nationwide 5G, 5G+, and Ultra Wideband 5G.

When we asked Dr. Wyglinski about this, he clarified that there is just one 5G, but it’s a big umbrella. Within the 5G tent there are several different frequencies that can be used for levels of performance. Most 5G networks are kind of like 4G+. They are a little bit faster than older technology, but not significantly.

However, there is millimeter wave technology, like Verizon has in some cities, which Dr. Wyglinski describes as critical: “It’s supposed to really provide a very fast data rate in a close range. Let’s say you live in New York City . . . and everyone is watching the same cat video—we’re talking 13–14 million people—well millimeter wave is supposed to alleviate those kinds of pressure.” In other words: It’s very, very fast.

Let’s talk numbers. 5G internet download speeds go from about 25Mbps all the way up to 1,000+Mbps. That’s a really wide range! So, what determines the actual 5G speeds that customers experience?

First of all, a lot comes down to which 5G internet provider you’re using. The three biggest players in the industry—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—have different average 5G performance. Check out the results of Opensignal’s latest “Mobile Network Experience Report” here.

As you can see, T-Mobile has the best average 5G download speeds at 204.9 Mbps. But that’s just the average speed taken in a number of locations at different times.

In certain areas, we know that Verizon has by far the best 5G speeds due to the company’s ultra wideband technology that we discussed above, which can rival even fiber optic internet speeds. But in other areas, provider speeds depend on who has the closest network tower or if there’s a physical obstruction (like a big building or a tree) that blocks your signal.

In short, there are lots of variables that can affect your 5G internet experience, but you can generally expect to have download speeds around 100–200Mbps most of the time. That’s plenty of speed for most individuals and even many small to medium sized households.

If you’re wondering about upload speeds, we’ve got some good news. 5G gives you better average upload speeds than 4G, making it ideal for mobile gamers and remote workers. Here’s a quick snapshot of the different 5G providers' average upload speeds as compiled by Opensignal.

The trade-off for 5G’s fast, high-frequency signal is that it doesn’t travel as far. That means that 5G network towers have to be set up more densely than 3G or 4G towers did. This is one of the reasons that 5G signal isn’t available in many places, though all three major cell phone companies—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—are rapidly growing their 5G networks.

You can get a 5G signal throughout much of the United States, though there are some big holes in certain rural states. To get a better idea of the availability of 5G in your area, look into the cell phone coverage from the three major carriers.

You can also check out this nifty map from the FCC.

Keep in mind that, even in areas where you do have 5G service, you’ll get much better performance the closer you are to a network tower or “cellular bay station,” as Dr. Wyglinski calls them.

“If you’re a the edge of the reception range of a cellular bay station, you might not have the same quality of service,” Dr. Wyglinski said. “In the cellular industry, we talk about quality of service . . . If you have one bar service I might hold off from doing that switch [to 5G].”

All three major cell phone carriers—and most of the small MVNOs—have fully integrated 5G into their regular service. You don’t need to sign up for a special plan to take advantage of 5G speeds and performance. All you have to do is have a smartphone that’s capable of connecting (most newish smartphones are 5G ready).

If you do have a 5G phone and you’re still just seeing that 4G or LTE symbol on the corner of your phone screen, that means that your carrier doesn’t have 5G coverage in your area. Maybe the network will expand soon, or maybe that means it’s time to switch to another carrier with better coverage in your neighborhood!

Because of 5G’s unprecedented speeds and low latency, it has become a major player in the residential home internet market. You can easily sign up for a cheap, fast, and easy-to-install internet plan through Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile’s 5G internet services.

Here’s a look at each company’s 5G home internet plans.

If you’re still not sure whether 5G home internet is worth it, Dr. Wyglinski suggests doing your research.

“One thing about the wireless sector,” Dr. Wyglinski explained, “is that it’s constantly improving. Right now folks are trying [5G] out—and it might work out for some and for others not so much. But this is the baseline. It only goes up from here.”

He added that it’s important to look at what different 5G services look like in your area and how much internet speed your household actually needs. “You’re kind of designing your home technology solution. Important to be honest about what your needs are.”

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Wyglinski stressed that the wireless industry is always innovating and coming up with bigger, bolder ideas. He describes it as “a closed loop between the innovators and consumers,” where customers are always looking for the next best technology, and engineers like him are working hard to create it.

In fact, Wyglinski and others are already hard at work creating the foundations for 6G, which he says should launch in the next decade. But there’s no reason to wait. If you’re looking for fast wireless internet on your phone or in your home, 5G is ready and waiting.