Fact or fiction: The real deal about 5G

Connecting your phone to the cellular network is something most people don’t give much thought. The choice of 3G vs. 4G vs. LTE is usually done by your carrier. But now, the huge amount of attention that 5G is getting for its super-fast speeds has gotten people interested in this new technology. And along with that curiosity has come a torrent of misinformation and rumors about what 5G can and can’t do. Debunking the dangers of 5g is crucial to stop the spread of misinformation and get you faster speeds on your wireless device and home internet.

So, what’s true, what’s false and what is just patently concocted? We break down the myths, rumors, and lies surrounding 5G.

Let’s start with the facts

Fact: I’ll need a new phone once 5G networks roll out

To truly take advantage of all that 5G has to offer, you’ll need a 5G-compatible phone. On the bright side, since 5G networks are building on top of rather than replacing the existing 4G and 4G LTE networks, you won’t need a new phone right away. All existing phones will still be able to connect to 4G networks and operate just fine.

Fact: We need 5G technology to keep up with the rapidly developing world

The United States started out a little behind when it comes to 5G technology. South Korea has had established 5G networks since Dec. 2018, three carriers in China launched 5G in Oct. 2019 and four providers rolled out 5G networks throughout 2019 in the United Kingdom.

The U.S. is catching up at a steady pace though, with carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile leading the way.

Fact: I’ll be able to use a 5G network as soon as I get a 5G phone

This is true, but only if you live in one of the cities where 5G networks currently exist or where the technology is expected to come in 2020. If that is the case, then you’ll be able to take full advantage of a 5G network as soon as you get a 5G-compatible phone. 

If you’re not in one of those markets, though, you may have to wait. It may still take a few years for the network to truly cover the majority of the United States. For instance, Verizon first started rolling out 4G LTE in 2010 but didn’t replace its entire 3G network until the end of 2013.

To be determined: 5G frequencies are going to take weather predictions back to the 1980s

Many meteorologists have expressed concerns that 5G networks will interfere with the satellite data they rely on to make accurate weather predictions and warn people about potentially hazardous situations, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and more.

This is a real concern, but the conversations surrounding how the 5G spectrums will be divided between the telecommunications and weather community are ongoing. Meteorologists “are calling for further dialogue between the weather and telecommunications communities. Meteorologists and atmospheric scientists said they are not seeking to hinder 5G rollout, noting its promising weather-related applications,” according to SpaceNews.

Fact: 5G home internet is also available

Wireless carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile have been developing 5G home internet for a while, and it’s finally ready for customers. While it utilizes the new 5G wireless spectrum, the process is largely the same as traditional home internet — you’ll get an all-in-one gateway device, which connects to 5G towers in your area. You can then connect your devices over WiFi to this gateway.

Speeds for 5G home internet vary depending on how close your home is to the nearest 5G transmitter. In our testing of T-Mobile’s 5G Home internet service, download speeds ranged from around 25 to 100 Mbps. That’s a wider range than cable or fiber internet, but it was usually more than enough for our needs.

5G fiction 

Now that we’ve looked at the top 5G facts, let’s dive into some of the 5G myths that you may have heard about.

For more on 5G networks— including the dangers of 5G, the merits of emerging technology and the future of communications — keep an eye on our Resource Center.