The speeds at which your smartphone can download movies, games and files is about to get considerably faster.
5G is the very latest technology which will offer consumers vastly improved access to the online world.
Until now, 5G has been something plenty had heard of but not a service many had ever dreamed of actually using.
But that’s about to change with EE confirming that its 5G network will officially go live next year.
This mobile service could allow users to get download speeds of around 1Gbps – that’s fast enough to download a full HD movie in just 40 seconds.
As well as being infinitely faster, 5G also allows more people to access the web at any one time which means areas that are densely populated, such as the busy train stations, won’t see things slow when thousands all try to go online.
“Adding 5G to the UK’s number one 4G network will increase reliability, increase speeds, and keep our customers connected where they need it most,” said Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division.
“This is another milestone for the UK and for our network journey – we’ll keep evolving as we move to one, smart network for our customers. We have an ambition to connect our customers to 4G, 5G or WiFi 100% of the time.”
So, if you’re excited about this mobile technology here’s all you need to know.
WHEN WILL 5G OFFICIALLY LAUNCH?
All of the major networks including Three, Vodafone and O2 have announced their commitment to 5G but EE is the only firm that has revealed an official release.
The mobile network isn’t giving specific times but has promised that customers will be able to access this technology in 2019.
HOW MUCH FASTER WILL IT ACTUALLY BE?
Depending on where you are in the country it’s possible to get an average 4G speed of around 20-30Mbps.
That’s as fast as most fixed-line broadband and would allow you to download an HD movie in around 20 minutes.
If you are very lucky, it is possible to get 4G speeds of around 400Mbps although this isn’t something many consumers will have ever experienced.
5G takes things to a new level with average speeds expected to exceed 100Mbps.
It’s also very likely that some users will experience speeds nearing 1Gbps with an HD movie downloading in under 40 seconds.
WHERE WILL I BE ABLE TO ACCESS 5G?
EE says that it is switching on 5G sites in 16 UK cities in 2019.
The first launch cities will be the UK’s four capital cities – London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast – plus Birmingham and Manchester.
EE is building 5G in the busiest parts of the six launch cites – including Hyde Park in London, Manchester Arena, Belfast City Airport, the Welsh Assembly, Edinburgh Waverly train station and Birmingham’s Bullring – where the power of 5G technology can really make a difference by providing a more reliable data connection to business and consumer customers, even in the biggest crowds.
As well as the six launch areas, through 2019 EE will also be introducing 5G across the busiest parts of ten more UK cities: Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry and Bristol.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
There’s no word on price but EE has confirmed that customers will pay a premium for using 5G and it won’t arrive as part of any current 4G price plans.
WILL MY CURRENT PHONE WORK WITH 5G?
The simple answer is no.
There’s very few 5G compatible smartphones available right now so it’s likely you’ll have to upgrade your device before you can gain access to this fast technology.