5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It is the network your phone connects to when you are not on Wi-Fi. Before 5G we had 4G, and before that 3G, and so on. Each generation is faster than the last.
What does it actually do?
For most people, day-to-day, 5G means three things:
- Faster downloads. A movie that takes a few minutes to download on 4G might take 30 seconds on 5G.
- Quicker web pages. Pages and videos load with less waiting around.
- Better in busy places. At a football match or a concert where thousands of phones are trying to connect at once, 5G handles the crowd better than 4G.
Where does 5G work?
5G coverage is good in cities and most suburbs, and growing in regional areas. Most Australian capital cities have strong 5G now. Rural and remote areas mostly still rely on 4G — and that is fine, because 4G is still plenty fast.
You can check 5G coverage for your address on most network providers' websites — including ours.
Do I need a 5G phone?
Almost every new phone sold in the last three years supports 5G. If you bought your phone before 2021, it is probably 4G only. That is OK — 4G phones still work perfectly well, and they will keep working for years.
If you are buying a new phone now, do not bother seeking out a "4G-only" model — 5G is standard. But do not pay extra just for 5G — it should not cost more.
Do I need a 5G plan?
Most modern mobile plans, including ours, include 5G access at no extra cost. Some older plans charged extra; that is becoming rare.
If your plan does not include 5G and you have a 5G phone, the phone will just use 4G — everything will still work, you will not notice.
Will it eat my data faster?
Sort of, but not in the way you might think. 5G itself does not use more data than 4G for the same activity (a 10-minute YouTube video uses the same amount of data on either). But because 5G is faster, things load instantly — and people tend to watch more video and use more apps when there is no waiting. So your monthly usage might creep up.
If you want to be careful, the controls are the same on 5G as 4G: connect to Wi-Fi when you are at home, and set up data usage alerts in your phone's settings.
Is 5G safe?
Yes. There is no scientific evidence that 5G poses health risks. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) regulates this in Australia and 5G is well within safe limits.
The honest summary
5G is nice. It is faster. But if you have 4G and your phone feels quick enough, you are not missing out on anything important. If you are getting a new phone, the 5G capability comes built in — enjoy it. If your current phone is 4G and you are not in a rush to replace it, do not rush.