Tag: C-Band

The Factors Impacting Your 5G Bandwidth Speeds

The dawn of 5G promised lightning-fast internet speeds, heralding a new era of connectivity. However, the reality often falls short of these lofty expectations, leaving many users frustrated and wondering why their 5G speeds are not as blazing fast as advertised. Several factors can affect your 5G bandwidth speeds, ranging from technical limitations to network congestion. Let’s delve into some key points to understand what could be influencing your 5G experience.

Frequency Band(s) Your Modem or Phone is Connected To

One of the primary determinants of your 5G bandwidth speed is the frequency band your device is connected to. 5G operates across three main frequency bands: low, mid, and high. Each band has its advantages and limitations. Low-band 5G offers wider coverage but relatively modest speed enhancements compared to existing 4G LTE networks. Mid-band 5G strikes a balance between coverage and speed, providing faster speeds than low-band but with middling coverage. High-band, also known as mmWave, offers the highest speeds but suffers from limited coverage and poor penetration through obstacles. Therefore, your proximity to a cell tower and the band it employs can significantly impact your 5G speeds.

Limitations of Your Modem or Phone

The capabilities of your modem or phone play a crucial role in determining the speeds you can achieve. Different devices support different frequency bands, and their performance may vary accordingly. For instance, a device equipped with support for high-band frequencies will likely achieve faster speeds in areas where high-band 5G is available compared to a device limited to low-band frequencies. Upgrading to newer devices that support a wider range of frequency bands can potentially enhance your 5G experience.

User Load at the Cell Tower

Network congestion is another key factor that can affect 5G bandwidth speeds. If too many users are connected to the same cell tower simultaneously, it can lead to decreased speeds for everyone. During peak hours or in densely populated areas, the demand for bandwidth may exceed the capacity of the cell tower, resulting in slower speeds for users. Network operators are continuously expanding infrastructure and optimizing networks to mitigate congestion, but it remains a persistent challenge in densely populated areas.

Limitations on Your Data Plan

Even if your device and the network infrastructure are capable of delivering high-speed 5G connectivity, your data plan may impose limitations. Some data plans throttle speeds after reaching a certain threshold of data usage, while others prioritize certain types of traffic, such as video streaming or gaming, which can impact overall bandwidth speeds. Understanding the terms and conditions of your data plan and choosing an appropriate plan that aligns with your usage patterns is essential for maximizing your 5G experience.

The Speed of Your WiFi or Ethernet Adapter

Lastly, the speed of your WiFi or Ethernet adapter can affect the performance of your 5G connection, especially when using a home or office network. Even if you have a fast 5G connection, a slow WiFi router or Ethernet adapter can become a bottleneck, limiting the speeds you can achieve on your devices. Upgrading to newer networking equipment capable of handling higher speeds can help unleash the full potential of your 5G connection.

As you can see, achieving optimal 5G bandwidth speeds involves a combination of factors. This includes the frequency band your device is connected to, the capabilities of your device, network congestion, data plan limitations, and the speed of your networking equipment. By understanding these factors and taking appropriate measures, users can enhance their 5G experience and unlock the full potential of next-generation connectivity.

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Peplink BR1 Mini 5G Router

Peplink introduces its latest innovation, the BR1 Mini 5G router, designed to redefine the possibilities of high-speed internet access for various applications. This compact powerhouse, now in stock and certified by major carriers, including Verizon (C-BAND), AT&T, FirstNet, and T-Mobile, redefines the way you connect and manage your network.

High-Speed Connectivity

The Peplink BR1 Mini 5G router boasts a 5G modem capable of reaching speeds up to 3.4 Gbps down and 900 Mbps up, ensuring blazing-fast internet access. In instances where 5G is not available, the router seamlessly switches to its 4G LTE Cat 20 modem, supporting speeds of up to 1.6 Gbps down and 200 Mbps up. The inclusion of redundant SIM slots in nano 4FF size ensures uninterrupted connectivity.

Versatile Ports and Connectivity Options

Equipped with two dedicated 10/100/1000 LAN ports and a third port that can function as both LAN and WAN, the BR1 Mini 5G offers flexibility in network configurations. The WAN port supports throughput up to 300 Mbps, providing reliable and high-speed connectivity. The device also supports SpeedFusion features, allowing for two to five VPN connections at speeds up to 80 Mbps with encryption off and up to 60 Mbps with encryption on, provided with a valid PrimeCare plan. 

The package includes the BR1 Mini 5G router, four cellular antennas, and a 12V 2A 4-pin power supply. Additionally, the device can be powered over Ethernet or 10-30V DC via the 4-pin connector, providing flexibility in deployment options. Note that there is no WiFi or GPS support on this model. 

Compact and Flexible Design

Despite its powerful capabilities, the BR1 Mini 5G maintains the compact and lightweight design synonymous with the BR1 Mini series. Weighing just under one pound and measuring under five inches in size, it is an ideal solution for diverse applications, from fixed office locations to vehicles traversing the globe. Suitable for one to sixty users, the BR1 Mini 5G adapts seamlessly to various networking environments. 

Advanced Features for Enhanced Management

The router includes GPIO and ignition sensing features, catering to a range of applications. It can be used as a 5G adapter with an existing network or as a gateway/router to create a new network. With extensive compatibility with 5G/LTE bands, including native 5G NSA and SA mode support, the BR1 Mini 5G ensures optimal performance across different network scenarios.

Efficient Remote Management

Peplink’s InControl2, a cloud-based endpoint management system, allows users to remotely access the BR1 Mini 5G router’s web admin. This feature enables administrators to generate reports, push configurations, and effectively manage connected devices, such as sensors and cameras, utilizing Peplink’s InTouch technology at 5G speeds.

Ready to get your hands on a BR1 Mini 5G? Check them out now at 5Gstore.com! In the meantime, here’s a closer look in our unboxing video!

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Verizon Speeds Up 5G Network

Verizon has gained early access to the entire 5G C-band spectrum it won at the March 2021 auction. This accelerates the expansion of their 5G Ultra Wideband network, doubling or even tripling bandwidth in some areas. This boosts capacity, data speeds, and allows for 5G Home broadband and Business Internet services. Joe Russo, EVP & President of Global Networks and Technology for Verizon, highlights this progress.

“Early access to the remainder of the C-band spectrum puts us another four months ahead of schedule from our original projections. This additional spectrum will make 5G Ultra Wideband available to even more Americans, and will open up more availability of our home and business broadband solutions. The more spectrum we deploy on our network, the more capacity we add for our customer’s to connect.”

Since deploying C-band 5G, over 222 million people in 359 markets now have access. 40 million households can use Verizon’s Home Internet, with 384,000 new customers this quarter. Verizon holds licenses for 140-200 MHz C-band in various markets, deploying 60 MHz in the first 46 areas in 2022. With final clearance, they’ll utilize the entire licensed spectrum for improved bandwidth.

Key Points:

  • Early access to full C-band spectrum speeds up Verizon’s 5G expansion.
  • Bandwidth doubles or triples in some areas, boosting capacity and speeds.
  • Verizon’s C-band deployment now covers 222 million people across 359 markets.
  • Over 40 million households have access to Verizon’s Home Internet.
  • Verizon holds licenses for 140-200 MHz C-band, deploying 60 MHz in the first 46 areas.
  • Full clearance enables use of the entire licensed spectrum for enhanced bandwidth.

For more details, check out the Verizon announcement.

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Cutting the Cable – Switching from Cable Internet to Cellular 5G

90 Days in: An Update

After about 90 days of living off 5G Internet service, I am more than pleased with the experience. Have I had any issues? I’d be lying if I said no, but thankfully they’ve been minor. Things like buffering video and choppy audio on voice over IP (VoIP) calls. Regardless of those issues, I was able to use over 500GB of data in June and just over 1TB in July (unfortunately, my May usage was lost). 

I found that my issues were mainly noticeable for my work purposes. This includes real time video meetings and VoIP calls. The buffering I experienced was typically while trying to stream movies during my personal time, which was acceptable. However, I wanted to look for ways to possibly improve those issues. 

When I first installed the 5G service, I simply used the antennas that came with the router. These provided a decent signal and okay quality. Leaning on my experience here with 5Gstore.com, I know that signals tend to improve when there are less obstructions. This means getting the antennas outside and higher up in elevation. The best way to accomplish this is with an outdoor antenna. 

I decided to install an outdoor directional antenna as they are generally more powerful than omnidirectional antennas. They are also focused in a specific direction so you can test and compare results from multiple cell towers (if applicable). This may result in not only better signal, but better quality if there’s less interference in one direction. With less interference, the speeds can normally increase too. 

Since installing the directional antenna, my connection has noticeably been more consistent. That’s with a slight change in frequency band connection and small to large increase in signal and quality (depending on the band). 

The speeds have usually been around 130-160 Mbps down and 13-17 Mbps up with approximately 30-40ms ping times. It would seem that a more consistent connection allows for more usage, which might explain the jump seen on my network between June and July.

Original article, published 5/23/2023:

For years, if you could get your hands on it, cable was the go-to option for both TV and Internet. However, in more recent years, 4G/5G Internet has been a game changer in the world of home entertainment and remote work. “Cutting the cable” might be something you’ve heard a lot recently, especially if you’re subjected to any commercials on live TV or the radio. Making the switch from cable to 4G or 5G Internet can save you money and headaches from outages or overall unsatisfactory service – or so they say. Can it really? I’m here to answer that question, at least based on my own experience with Comcast/ Xfinity. However, this article applies if you are wanting to leave COX or Spectrum.

A Little Background

I’ve been using Comcast/ Xfinity cable for TV and Internet pretty much since it became available. The ease of accessibility was something I quickly grew accustomed to. As time went on, the Internet speeds got faster and more channels were added to the TV lineup. I was addicted on all accounts. Although catching new episodes of my favorite shows was always a struggle. 

Eventually, I grew up and became an adult living in a world of endless entertainment and high speed Internet. I got married to a man just as interested in TV and film as I was. Neither of us had ever lived without cable so it was natural we got cable for TV and Internet when we bought a house. At that time, we marveled at all the content available and felt fortunate to have such high speed internet when so many others do not. 

Having this cable connection allowed me to start working from home almost 12 years ago. I was convinced cable was the best and most reliable connection to have for this purpose. So here we are, two people and a bunch of connected devices with download speeds of up to about 250 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 15 Mbps. This is way more than we ever needed for personal or work use. Still, I believed I had no other choice for a reliable Internet service, especially because my husband and I thought we needed cable TV. After all, the overall cost for TV and Internet was only slightly higher than Internet by itself. 

Working for 5Gstore.com

After some time working from home, I was provided a cellular modem to use as a backup Internet connection. This was a modem that 5Gstore (previously 3G store) both sold and supported, so it helped me on a few levels. I found the connection to be sufficient for my work use, but couldn’t imagine trying to live off that for personal use. I liked to download a lot of audio and video content as well as play games online, which all required more bandwidth speed than I saw a 3G service could provide. 

Gradually, the 4G/5G services started to improve and I could see the capabilities were growing. However, from working with customers who were solely working on cellular, I discovered that it still would not seem adequate for my personal use. Mainly because of the amount of data I would need to use for both work and personal use. From what I could see on our cable usage, we were using anywhere from about 60 GB to 900 GB. We definitely needed an unlimited data plan.

Making the Decision to Switch from Cable to 5G

Over just the past year, there have been multiple choices for Internet service and video content available to me. It was important that I have something reliable and as consistent as possible with its bandwidth speeds. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything better than my cable connection and I gave up pretty quickly. 

More time passed and both my husband and I found ourselves watching less and less cable TV and more content on streaming services. Nothing interested us on cable. Or, the content that was on could easily be accessed later without commercials. So why would we bother watching it live?

When 5Gstore announced their 5G unlimited data plan with no overages or throttling, I jumped at the chance to check my service. I live just outside of Chicago, which is thankfully in a coverage area. This changed my outlook on everything. I already knew that I could work off 3G and 4G cellular service. I also had been seeing and hearing reports of over 100 Mbps download speeds and higher, which I knew would be sufficient for my personal use. I was on board to at least test it out. As an added bonus, I had a chance to finally use the Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G!

The Transition from Cable to 5G

Coming from a household that has had cable Internet and TV for decades, it was a little strange to consider canceling. After all, I was technically sacrificing some bandwidth speed as well as all the channels and on demand video content our TV plan had to offer. I decided to keep both plans in place for a month. The goal was to perform comparison testing during this time. Though I also still wanted access to the cable in case the cellular became unusable. This would hopefully provide a smoother transition, while allowing my husband and I to see if we could live without cable.  

The first part of the process was checking my address for service. This was done in a matter of minutes since it was during the work day. Next, placing an order from 5Gstore.com. This was simple and an even faster step. Not just because I work for the company, but because I took the same steps that any customer would take.   

In my case, I started using the 5G unlimited data plan. This is considered a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) type of Internet connection that requires address verification because of limited tower availability.  It operates directly off the Verizon cellular network and can connect to C-Band frequencies, which can provide faster, more reliable speeds. 

Overall, this was a smooth transition. Sure, my experience in this business helps, but this is something that anyone can do. Just let the 5Gstore sales team assist you with selecting the appropriate data plan and 4G/5G router or modem first. Once you’ve got your hands on the SIM card and hardware, the installation is quick and easy. In fact, you could be set up and ready to go in a matter of minutes. 

My Experience Living and Working on 5G

The Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G swapped in for the cable modem nicely. I found a great location in my home where I was able to get a decent 4 bar, or roughly -96 dBm to -113dBm RSRP. I was able to get a consistent 5G signal on the C-Band (5G band n77) along with a signal over 3 additional 5G and 4G LTE bands. This was achieved with the Peplink and its stock, paddle style antennas. 

My current work involves uploading and downloading lots of files. Even with the roughly 100 Mbps slower download speeds, I did not see much difference when downloading over cable versus 5G. The upload speeds from 5G were actually quite comparable to cable. Typically, upload speeds were around 10 to 13 Mbps so uploading files was barely noticeable in comparison to uploading over cable.  

Occasionally, I am on the phone using VoIP service or on a video meeting. I would say that 99% of the time, my experience is excellent. The other 1%, the audio on a phone call will cut out for a moment and then return. For the most part, video meetings were just as fantastic. In some cases, it even appeared to be better than what I saw over cable. 

When I use streaming services for TV and movies, I normally try to watch in 4K when possible. I was surprised that there were no issues with this. Then again, the download speeds are still way higher than my husband and I need. In comparison to the roughly 250 Mbps from cable, I normally received between 120 Mbps and 170 Mbps. That all being said, it would be difficult for me to tell the difference from cable. This was a pleasant surprise.

Regarding my data usage I gathered information over a complete month of testing (April 1st to April 30th). My usage totalled about 741 GB. Of that, my work PC used 121 GB and my work phone used 532 MB.

On a side note, this 5G unlimited plan, and a 4G LTE plan that 5Gstore offers, come with a static IP address. I found this extremely useful for setting up a VPN connection between my router and a colleague’s for easy access to devices on my LAN. I could also see it helpful if I wanted to access my personal files remotely when on vacation. Naturally, there are pros and cons to everything. So, while it proved to be helpful for my business use, it was otherwise frustrating for personal use. How could that be? Well, in order for a static IP address to work in this case, it had to be routed through a connection in Nebraska before reaching me in Illinois. This caused my devices without GPS capability (everything but our cell phones) to think they were in Omaha rather than Chicago. 

Why was this frustrating? All the commercials and local television access I had through streaming services like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Paramount+ were showing me content from Omaha and there was no option to change this to Chicago. Once the static IP address was removed from the line of service, it fixed the issue and all local content started coming from Chicago. Keep this in mind if you plan on purchasing a 5Gstore.com data plan for home use. Simply request we do NOT include the static IP when checking out and we’ll ensure it’s not included. 

Final Thoughts

Without cable service, I’m saving a little over $100. Not only is the 5G data plan cheaper, but there’s no hardware fees for renting hardware. You own the hardware and the SIM card is a one time fee. There’s no activation fees either like there are with some 4G/5G services. These savings even include the cost of streaming services. Those services are currently Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ with Showtime. 

So, is it worth it? I’d say yes! Whether you have COX, Spectrum, Charter, or Xfinity like me, it’s definitely worth the switch. Not only have I had 24/7 service, but my speeds have been pretty consistent and more than adequate for my usage. They’ve also been comparable to cable. The great thing about the data plan, aside from being so much less expensive, is that there’s no contract. We pay month to month and can cancel any time. Should I ever need to renew the service [after canceling] I would just purchase a new SIM card and data plan for my router.  

If you’re considering making the switch, it’s worth doing your research to find a provider like Verizon or T-Mobile, along with a plan that works for your needs. Check your coverage first and see if our 5G Unlimited data plan is available in your area. If this is not available, see what other types of data plans are offered and verify if they will work with the amount of usage you and any others may require. Check with the team at 5Gstore.com to see what hardware and data plan may be the best solution for your needs. With the right setup, you may find that cutting the cable is the best decision you ever made.

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Airlines Warned Again about Upcoming 5G Deadline

The US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, issued a stern warning to Airlines for America, a trade group representing major US carriers. The warning is in regards to potential flight disruptions unless critical flight instrumentation is updated. This caution comes just a week before wireless carriers in the nation are set to boost their C-Band 5G signals from July 1st.

The Clash between 5G Technology and Aviation Safety

The primary concern associated with 5G technology and its impact on aviation lies in the belief that C-Band signals bear close resemblance to frequencies used by radio altimeters. This similarity raises concerns about potential interference. In particular, it’s during instrument-based approaches to landing, which pilots rely on in poor visibility conditions.

Status of Aircraft Updates

The Department of Transportation has confirmed that approximately 80% of aircraft operated by major US airlines already possess updated radio altimeters. However, a significant number of aircraft still require these crucial updates. For instance, Delta Air Lines revealed that out of its fleet of over 900 aircraft, around 190 are yet to be equipped with updated radio altimeters.

Supply Chain Challenges and Compliance

Some airlines have expressed difficulties in meeting the deadline for updating their fleets due to supply chain issues. Airlines for America spokesperson, Marli Collier, highlighted that carriers have repeatedly communicated this reality to the government. Despite these challenges, member carriers of Airlines for America remain confident in their ability to maintain operational schedules while assuring the integrity of their services.

In contrast, certain airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, have already achieved compliance with the retrofitting requirements. United Airlines expects to meet the deadline for all its mainline jets. However, compliance for regional jets, which are operated by third-party airlines, remains uncertain. The responsibility for updating these aircraft lies with the smaller airlines that operate them, making it unclear whether all American Eagle and Delta Connection aircraft have been updated.

It is crucial to note that the impact of these developments extends beyond US air carriers. Foreign air carriers operating flights terminating in the US will also be subject to the same retrofitting requirements and potential flight disruptions.

Consequences of Noncompliance and Impact on Passengers

Airlines with non-compliant aircraft in their fleets will be forced to either avoid specific types of flights or ground those aircraft. Delta plans to cautiously use aircraft without updated radio altimeters on routes with favorable visibility to minimize disruptions temporarily. Nevertheless, Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that airlines selling flights they cannot operate may face sanctions for deceptive trade practices. This ensures that passengers are not adversely affected by an airline’s inability to equip sufficient aircraft for safe operations in the 5G C-band environment.

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What Data Plans are Available at 5Gstore?

Are you looking for an affordable cellular data plan for your failover or primary Internet service? 5Gstore.com is currently offering 4 different data plans, all with one of the nation’s biggest cellular providers, Verizon Wireless. These data plans will accommodate users needing either 4G LTE or 5G service. Here’s a breakdown of each plan:

  • 4G LTE Failover plan
    • $10/mo (includes 1GB)
    • $10 Per Additional GB
    • For fixed or mobile use
  • 4G LTE Failover plan with Static IP address
    • $12/mo (includes 1GB)
    • $10 Per Additional GB
    • For fixed or mobile use
  • 5G Unlimited with Static IP address
  • 4G LTE Standard plan with Static IP
    • $84.99/mo (includes 300GB)
    • $10 Per Additional 5GB
    • For fixed or mobile use

You might be asking why the 5G plan requires address verification while the others do not. This is because the 5G service is limited to fixed wireless access (FWA). This 5G service includes access to Verizon’s C-Band frequencies, which provide some of the fastest bandwidth speeds. The speeds at this time will generally be around 100-150 Mbps down and 10-15 Mbps up. 

Verizon is also only allowing a certain number of 5G Unlimited plans to be sold per cell tower. Once each of the 5G “nodes” are sold, they cannot sell any more. With this being a first come, first served situation, it’s best if you act quickly! 

But what if your address is not currently in a 5G C-Band area (also called Ultra Wideband)? Not to worry! All you need to do is wait. After you submit your address once, we will continue to check periodically for coverage. Only after we receive confirmation that there is coverage, will we contact you to let you know. 

Not interested in a 5G plan? Take a look at our 4G LTE plans instead. Keep in mind that there is limited data usage included and overage fees. If you’re not sure how much data you will need, follow our guide for assistance and check out our data usage calculator as well.  

How about a static IP address? Do you need one? How might a static IP help you? There are of course pros and cons to everything, including static IP addresses. Find out more about static IPs before you decide.

If you’re still uncertain about what data plan you require, contact the experts at 5Gstore.com for assistance. We’re available Monday thru Friday, 9am to 6pm CT via phone, email, or chat!

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Will US Wireless Carriers’ Voluntary Commitments Address Aviation Safety Concerns for 5G Use?

Four major US wireless carriers have recently made voluntary commitments to address aviation safety concerns and allow full use of the C-Band wireless spectrum for 5G use. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile US, and UScellular submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) outlining their voluntary commitments to support full-power deployments across C-Band while minimizing the operational impact on their C-Band operations.

The FAA had previously expressed concerns that 5G service could interfere with airplane altimeters, which provide critical data on a plane’s height above the ground and are essential for safe landing during bad weather. This had led to brief disruptions at some US airports last year, prompting the voluntary commitments by the wireless carriers.

Verizon and AT&T had already agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July last year, while T-Mobile and UScellular had not begun deployment at the time of the agreement. The latest voluntary commitments are seen as a major step forward and will allow carriers to increase power levels to get to full C-Band use.

The voluntary commitments made by the wireless carriers could last until 2028, according to sources briefed on the matter. The FAA had initially sought to extend some through up to 2033. The FCC has not yet commented on the matter, while the FAA said it continues to work closely to ensure a safe co-existence in the US 5G C-band environment.

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What Do 5G Symbols Mean on My Phone

In the past, we’ve discussed the technical factors surrounding 5G, such as frequency bands and the airwaves at which 5G operates (low, mid, and high). But what about the different terminology used by cellular providers and those 5G icons on your phone that indicate your cell phone’s signal strength? If you’ve wondered what those 5G, 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G Ultra Capacity, 5G Plus, and 5G C-Band symbols mean on your phone, you’re not alone. This is often a lot of confusion surrounding these 5G symbols. 5Gstore is here to explain exactly what they mean. Read on — this article will discuss the meaning behind 5G, 5GUW/UWB, 5GUC, and 5G C-Band symbols.

What is 5G?

When you hear 5G, you may think of the hype that surrounded its rollout in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Today, about 90% of America’s population has 5G available. Even if you’re in the 10% of the country that doesn’t yet offer 5G in your location, your smartphone is likely 5G-compatible and you have experienced 5G speeds in some capacity at a certain point.

The 5G signal strength is what providers like to call “5G Nationwide.” 5G is currently the most widely available service in America. Theoretically, 5G has the potential for 10 Gbps speeds; in reality 5G alone is similar to 4G LTE speeds. 5G service may provide you with enough speed to watch a high definition or 4K video; however, it may not be fast enough to handle multiple streams at the same time. 

What is 5G Ultra Wideband?

This is where 5G Ultra Wideband comes in. As Verizon’s highest-performing 5G, 5G Ultra Wideband (5G UW) can be up to 10x faster than 4G LTE. This makes it capable of handling multiple audio or video streams simultaneously. T-Mobile® and AT&T have similar 5G networks. T-Mobile calls this signal “Ultra Capacity,” or “5G UC.” AT&T calls it “5G Plus.”

What is C-Band?

You may also encounter “C-Band,” which is part of Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network. C-Band simply operates in a different section of 5G and is one of the newest types of 5G. It can be extremely fast and can support large amounts of data. C-Band is currently not widely available due to its limited range. 

5G Symbols

So what does that 5G symbol on your phone mean? 5G devices will display specific 5G icons connected to 5G Nationwide. These devices include those connected to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks:

  • T-Mobile: T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity network may display a “5G UC” symbol. A 5G icon without the “UC” indicates that you’re connected to a slower 5G network. This is what T-Mobile refers to as “Extended Range.” 
  • Verizon: Verizon will show 5G UW (or 5G UWB) when connected to 5G Ultra Wideband. C-Band does not have its own indicator, so it falls under 5G UW for Verizon (or 5G+ for AT&T). 
  • AT&T: AT&T icons may display “5GE,” which is actually 4G LTE. AT&T simply got creative with their advertising in 2020 and came out with “5G Evolution.” 5G Evolution is supposed to be faster than traditional LTE, but its speeds are not quite as fast as you might expect from 5G. Unfortunately, it still appears on some phones. 

What to Look For on Your Phone

Note that not all phones are alike. For that reason, how they display their network details might differ slightly. Take a look below at some common examples. 

5G: This is simply 5G service. This 5G icon applies to all providers.

5GE: 5G Evolution is 4G LTE on the AT&T network.

5G+: 5G Plus is AT&T’s faster 5G service, and includes C-Band.

5G UW/ UWB: 5G Ultra Wideband is Verizon’s fastest 5G service.

5G UC: 5G Ultra Capacity is T-Mobile’s fastest 5G service available.

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RootMetrics Reports on 2H 2022: How the Cellular Networks Compare

RootMetrics just released its report that measures overall network experience and performance for the most popular cellular networks in North America.

Test results were based on the second half of 2022 and cover all network technologies (5G, 4G LTE, and any sub-4G technology). The report also looks at the newest C-Band 5G performance for AT&T and Verizon. The test space for the report consists of the entirety of the United States, which includes 125 of the country’s most populated metropolitan markets (as defined by the United States Census Bureau’s Census Urbanized Areas [CUAs].

The report noted a few important points to take away regarding the three top cellular networks: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

2022 RootMetrics Report Highlights for AT&T

AT&T won five national awards, including the U.S. Overall Performance RootScore Award. AT&T was also recognized within the Reliability, Speed, Data and Call categories. AT&T tied with Verizon for first in the Text category. Additionally, AT&T also took home the most State RootScore Awards. Its results in major cities were strong, but it came in second to Verizon. AT&T shows 5G speed gains in 70 C-Band markets. Overall, AT&T has clearly made some improvements, both in LTE and 5G. 

2022 RootMetrics Report Highlights for T-Mobile

Compared with its competitors, T-Mobile’s results showed great speeds. It took home 88 Speed RootScore Score Awards, which were higher than those of AT&T (59) or Verizon (71).

Out of all carriers, T-Mobile’s overall median download speeds measured above 50 Mbps in the most cities. T-Mobile was also the only carrier that posted median download speeds above 200 Mbps. These speeds were achieved in 59 markets.

Even more impressive is how in 32 of those cities, T-Mobile recorded median download speeds above 300 Mbps; additionally, it acheived 400 Mbps speeds in one city (Fort Wayne, Indiana). Overall, the carrier delivered the Fastest 5G and the Best Overall 5G Experience in the U.S. for the third time. It was recognized for its top 5G availability four years in a row.

2022 RootMetrics Report Highlights for Verizon

Verizon took home the most awards out of any carrier in major metropolitan markets — a total of 747 awards out of 875 total opportunities. This was a representation of roughly 85% of all possible network awards. Verizon demonstrated the best 5G reliability out of all cellular carriers and earned the second most state-level awards. Verizon showed improved speeds, including 5G C-Band speed increases: RootMetrics’ tests recorded Verizon’s C-Band in 102 of its 123 cities with 5G. Further, the carrier’s 5G speeds improved in nearly 90 of these markets since 1H 2022. Outstanding Verizon reliability has also been seen in major metros, compared to 1H 2022.

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Is 5G Still Causing Issues for the FAA?

The ongoing debate over whether 5G causes issues with airplane equipment continues to be discussed and has reached another compromise. While cellular carriers want airlines to have to bring their equipment up-to-date, an aviation body argues that the current restrictions be made permanent.

The Problem

As satellite TV began to take a dive in the number of users, several frequencies were freed up for alternative use. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) controls who gets to use what frequencies. They ultimately decided that these frequencies were suitable for 5G use so the rights to use them were auctioned off. Verizon and AT&T jumped on the chance to expand their 5G networks and acquired what is called 5G C-Band. 

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was apparently unaware of this auction. They discovered there was a risk of 5G C-band spectrum interfering with radio altimeters. This is the tool that essentially allows the airplane pilot to determine the altitude of the plane. It is always helpful to the pilot, but even more so in conditions of poor visibility. 

Surprisingly, the FAA had been talking about their concerns surrounding the potential risks of C-band interference since 2015. However, the agency didn’t directly communicate these to the FCC until it was too late.

Moving Forward

After several arguments between the two agencies, it’s still unclear as to whether the radio altimeters are truly at risk – there has been limited evidence. Still, delays were put in place to push out deployment, as well as restrictions at and around certain airports.  

An agreement was also made that gave the aviation industry until July 2023 to check their older aircraft. They would update radio altimeters as needed. Since that agreement, the deadline has again been pushed back, this time to February 2024. 

This past October, the aviation industry said that the temporary restrictions weren’t doing anyone any harm. They added that the costs of fixing the issue was expensive. So, it was argued that the power limitations be made permanent. The FAA rejected this. Instead, they decided to give airlines more time. Arstechnica reported the following: 

Today, the FAA proposed a deadline of February 1, 2024, to replace or retrofit faulty altimeters, which are used by airplanes to measure altitude.

Out of 7,993 airplanes on the US registry, the FAA said it “estimates that approximately 180 airplanes would require radio altimeter replacement and 820 airplanes would require the addition of radio altimeter filters to comply with the proposed modification requirement.” The total estimated cost of compliance is $26 million […]

“Some radio altimeters may already demonstrate tolerance to the 5G C-Band emissions without modification,” the FAA said. “Some may need to install filters between the radio altimeter and antenna to increase a radio altimeter’s tolerance. For others, the addition of a filter will not be sufficient to address interference susceptibility; therefore, the radio altimeter will need to be replaced with an upgraded radio altimeter.”

Another suggestion was also rejected by the FAA. The problem was only that affected radio altimeters reported a fault, but still functioned properly. So, they suggested that pilots simply be advised not to be concerned by the alerts at known problem spots. The FAA stated that this risked air crews becoming desensitized to system warnings, which “can lead to a catastrophic event.”

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