The rollout of 5G in the UK is well underway, with major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham already having access to the next generation of mobile data. But what does 5G actually mean for consumers, and how does it compare to the existing 4G network?
Speed
In terms of speeds, 5G is a major step up from 4G. While 4G speeds can vary depending on location and time of day, 5G offers a consistent high-speed connection that is up to 10 times faster than 4G. This means that downloading movies, music and files will be much quicker on 5G, and streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify will be able to run without buffering.
Latency
5G also has much lower latency than 4G, which means that there is virtually no lag when streaming video or gaming online. This is a huge benefit for gamers in particular, who will no longer have to deal with the frustration of their games lagging or freezing.
Coverage
In terms of coverage, 5G is still in its early stages in the UK. While major cities are well-covered, rural areas are still lagging behind. This is something that is likely to improve over time, as more 5G masts are installed.
Selling Points
One of the big selling points of 5G is its potential for future applications. While 4G is mainly used for data and voice calls, 5G can be used for a whole range of new applications such as connected cars, smart homes and virtual reality. This means that 5G could potentially revolutionise the way we live and work in the future.
To Summerise
Overall, 5G is a major step up from 4G in terms of speed, latency and potential applications. However, coverage is still patchy in parts of the UK, and the full benefits of 5G are yet to be realised.
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