Wireless 5G connectivity is the fifth generation of wireless technology. It offers faster speeds and greater bandwidth than 4G LTE, the previous wireless generation. The service is accessible to cell phones and is rapidly expanding into the home internet market.
Although the 5G technology rollout began around 2019, it has still not met its full potential. There are vast stretches of the nation where wireless connectivity is still heavily dependent on 4G LTE. That said, once the 5G network is established nationwide, the service has the potential to change our everyday lives.
Read on to learn more facts and statistics about 5G connectivity, how fast it can get, and which carriers offer the best 5G service.
What is 5G?
5G refers to the fifth generation of wireless internet technology. It's the new standard for mobile internet and currently offers the fastest speeds available from a wireless connection. Carriers hope that once the 5G footprint is complete, the network will provide download speeds up to 10Gbps. The development of 5G promises to offer greater wireless connectivity to all kinds of devices, from personal phones and smartwatches to home internet and computers.
4G LTE vs. 5G : What's the difference?
4G LTE is the fourth generation of wireless technology. Its development is what led to the expansion of the smartphone. Before 4G LTE, most networks offered data speeds around of 2Mbps. This was only fast enough to send texts and visit basic web pages if your phone had that capability. With the introduction of the 4G network around 2010, carriers could consistently offer speeds of 10Mbps or more. This fueled a revolution in the cell phone industry, with phone manufacturers designing more devices that could take advantage of these speeds. Customers now wanted smartphones that could stream music while driving, provide video chat capabilities, or offer online mobile gaming.
Why is 5G technology important?
In 2011, the Pew Research Center asked what percentage of Americans owned a smartphone. The answer was 35%. By 2021, the percentage had grown to 85%. The 4G network, while fast, was not built to handle the millions of people using data-heavy smartphones every day. That heavy use caused frequent speed slow-downs due to network congestion.
The emerging 5G networks should solve the congestion issues and offer much faster speeds. Once they are fully implemented, they promise to offer higher bandwidth and data speeds of up to 10Gbps, which is 100 times faster than 4G. The 5G networks also aren't limited to cell phones. Some carriers, like Verizon and T-Mobile, offer 5G home internet service as an alternative to satellite and wired connections.
While 5G is an improvement over 4G, it does have drawbacks. The biggest challenge facing 5G networks is the fastest speeds are limited to short-range high-band towers. Carriers have placed these towers in urban areas so large numbers of people will have coverage. Rural areas are typically serviced with low and mid-band towers that cover longer distances but at slower speeds.
Debunking 5G myths and conspiracies
Is 5G technology safe? Research shows that 5G radio waves “have a maximum frequency of 86GHz, which is within the radio spectrum and is hence considered safe.”
The most common misconceptions about 5G are that it is either a health risk or a government conspiracy. A recent survey found that 78% of Americans don’t believe 5G to be a health risk, and 70% of Americans don’t believe in 5G conspiracy theories. That said, 8% of Americans believed the specific conspiracy theory that Coronavirus can transmit through 5G radio waves.
5G speeds: How fast is 5G?
How fast are 5G download speeds in the U.S.?
As a whole, 5G download speeds in the U.S. hover around 138.86Mbps. That said, depending on where you live, you may have access to much faster speeds. Urban areas tend to have better 5G connectivity, and some cities with access to ultra-wideband 5G technology can offer speeds that approach 1,000Mbps or faster.
How much faster is 5G than 4G?
Theoretically, 5G can reach speeds up to 100 times higher than 4G, capping around 10Gbps. In reality, 5G is more likely to reach speeds about ten times faster than 4G, depending on the type of 5G you are using (high, mid, or low-band 5G). Most 5G users will find data speeds between 150–200Mbps, and peak speeds can reach above 1Gbps. By comparison, 4G users typically experience average speeds between 23–35Mbps.
How does U.S. 5G coverage compare to other countries?
A recent Ookla report found that the United States ranks number one in the world for 5G availability. However, they also found the United States is far behind other countries when it comes to 5G speeds. This is because the United States expanded much of its network using mid and low-band towers, which carry 5G signals farther but at slower speeds.
Smaller nations are able to invest in high-band towers with faster speeds for much of their networks due to population concentrations and geography. A great example of this is South Korea, which at the time of testing consistently offered the fastest average 5G speeds in the world at 516Mbps.
Compare 5G coverage from major carriers
The Big Three carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon) are the leaders in 5G network connectivity. Each offers plans that include 5G connectivity, unlimited data, and plenty of other perks. That said, they are also the most expensive options. If you want to save some money, check out the MVNO plans offered under each major carrier plan. MVNOs offer discounted service on the Big Three networks that typically includes 5G connectivity!
T-Mobile 5G coverage
T-Mobile's 5G coverage is currently the largest in the nation and offers the fastest average speeds. The un-carrier has poured a lot of resources into expanding its 5G footprint and has left AT&T and Verizon in the dust. That said, much of its network is built on low and mid-band towers, so there are vast swaths of the nation that don't reach the top 5G speeds. T-Mobile's most popular 5G offering is the Experience More plan. It comes with unlimited data, a 60GB mobile hotspot, and subscriptions to Netflix and Apple TV+. The price starts at $85/month for a single line but quickly drops if you create a family plan.
Who uses T-Mobile's 5G Network?
Our favorite T-Mobile MVNO is Mint Mobile. Mint offers unlimited data on the T-Mobile network (including 5G) for just $30/month. It also includes a 20GB mobile hotspot. Mint doesn't include all the bells and whistles of the T-Mobile plan, but at just $30/month for unlimited data on the largest 5G network in the nation, can you really complain?
|
#1
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#2
|
T-Mobile
Essentials Saver
$50.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included
|
|
#3
|
US Mobile
Unlimited Starter Plan
$25.00/mo
$20/mo. for 6 months; $25/mo. thereafter
|
|
#4
|
Boost Mobile
Unlimited Plan
$10.00/mo
with AutoPay
|
|
#5
|
Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS)
$40 Period Unlimited Plan
$40.00/mo
Taxes and regulatory fees included.
|
AT&T 5G coverage
AT&T offers the second-largest 5G network in the nation. While it isn't as large as T-Mobile, it typically offers better service in rural areas. A great 5G entry point for AT&T is the Unlimited Extra EL plan. It starts at $75.99/month for a single line and includes unlimited data, 5G connectivity, and a 30GB mobile hotspot. There are cheaper unlimited plans from AT&T, but those plans aren't always eligible for trade-in deals on new devices.
Who uses AT&T's 5G Network?
A solid MVNO option for AT&T is Cricket Wireless. While Cricket isn't the cheapest option out there, it offers plans that compete directly with AT&T. The Supreme Unlimited plan from Cricket includes unlimited data on AT&T's network, 5G connectivity, and a 50GB mobile hotspot. If you look closely, it's basically a copy of the AT&T Unlimited Extra plan. The only differences are Cricket's option offers more hotspot data and costs just $55/month.
|
Cricket
Supreme Unlimited Plan
$55.00/mo
with AutoPay; $60 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
Verizon 5G coverage
Verizon has the smallest 5G network of any major carrier. That said, don't count Verizon out just because it has a smaller 5G network. The carrier actually offers some of the fastest speeds and regularly beats T-Mobile in many locations because it utilizes high-band towers that provide the fastest 5G speeds. Plus, Verizon still has the largest 4G LTE network. The best option for 5G service on Verizon is the Unlimited Plus plan starting at $65/month. The basic plan includes unlimited data, 5G service, and a 30GB mobile hotspot. From there you can customize the plan by adding things like a Disney Bundle subscription, Apple Music Family, or cloud storage for $10 each per month.
Who uses Verizon's 5G Network?
Our favorite Verizon MVNO is Visible. The Visible+ plan offers unlimited data on Verizon's 5G network and an unlimited mobile hotspot. That's right, Visible offers an unlimited mobile hotspot, though your speeds are capped at 5Mbps. All this costs just $35/month, which is almost half the cost of Verizon's top plan.
|
#1
|
Visible
$35 Visible+ Plan
$35.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#2
|
Verizon
Unlimited Plus
$70.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
5G frequencies and signals
What are the different types of 5G?
There are three types of 5G frequencies:
- High frequency
- Mid-band
- Low frequency
High-frequency signals don't cover large distances but offer the fastest speeds. On the other hand, low-band frequencies can stretch for miles but offer speeds just above 4G LTE. Mid-band frequencies are essentially a sweet spot in the middle offering decent coverage and speeds.
Here’s a breakdown of the speeds and distances each 5G frequency can travel:
Compare 5G technology types
| 5G Type | Frequency Range | Signal Distance | Current Download Speeds | Obstacle Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-band (mmWave) | 20-100GHz | <1,500 ft. | Up to 2.5Gbps | Low |
| Mid-band | 2-10GHz | Several miles | Up to 1Gbps | Medium |
| Low-band | Under 5GHZ | 100+ miles | Up to 250Mbps | High |
Do I need a new phone if I want 5G?
Virtually all of the devices released by major companies now have 5G capability. These include budget-friendly models such as the iPhone SE and flagship devices like the Google Pixel 7. Or check out the Samsung Galaxy S23 below:
Samsung Galaxy S23
128GB, Unlocked
The Galaxy S23 is one of the best choices for a 5G smartphone. Samsung's newest flagship device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It also comes with a 50MP main camera and incredible advancements in low-light photography. Plus, with the Galaxy S23's 5G capability, you can take advantage of lightning-fast data speeds no matter what network you choose.
What is the financial impact of 5G in the USA?
How much money will 5G contribute to the U.S. economy?
By 2025, 5G will create or transform as many as 16 million jobs across all sectors of the U.S. economy and contribute up to $1.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP.
Forecasters predict 5G development will generate the most economic growth in the following states:
- California, $256 billion
- New York, $136 billion
- Texas, $131 billion
5G statistics and facts: FAQs
Methodology
Proprietary WhistleOut survey data was gathered from multiple surveys of 1,000 Americans, distributed online via Pollfish. Each survey had a ±4% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. Results are weighted to reflect characteristics of the United States population using data from the U.S. census.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Best Cell Phone Deals for June 2026: Get the New iPhone 17 for Free")
