What is 5G?

This guide explains what 5G means for your phone, how fast it can be, where it's available in the UK and how 5G broadband works.

Key points

• 5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It can give you much faster speeds and lower lag than 4G.
• Many newer phones, SIM only deals and mobile contracts now include 5G as standard.
• 5G coverage is widely available in the UK but your signal and speed can still change, depending on your location and network.
• Mobile providers have now switched off 3G networks in the UK, while 4G and 5G services continue to support newer phones and mobile plans.
• 5G broadband can connect your home to the internet through a mobile network, rather than a fixed-line broadband connection.

How does 5G work?

5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile network technology.

You can use 5G on a compatible mobile phone, tablet or broadband router if your provider offers 5G and you're in an area with 5G coverage. It can give you faster downloads, smoother streaming and less lag when you use online games, video calls or other data-heavy apps.

In simple terms, 5G helps your phone do more in less time. You can download large files more quickly, stream higher-quality video with less buffering and use your phone in busy places where the network has enough capacity.

Your experience might change, depending on where you use it. Your 5G signal depends on local coverage, how busy the network is and whether your phone can connect indoors as well as outdoors.

What does 5G mean for your phone?

5G compatibility comes as standard on modern smartphones. So unless you've had your current phone for several years, it should already support 5G.

You'll usually need three things to use 5G:

• A 5G-ready phone.
• A mobile plan or SIM that includes 5G.
• 5G coverage in your location.

If your current phone only works on the 4G network, it will still work on 4G. You don't need to replace it just because mobile providers have switched off 3G.

If you're thinking about upgrading, comparing phone contracts or SIM only deals can help you find a plan that includes the data, network and handset you want.

How fast is 5G?

5G can be much faster than 4G, especially when you have a strong signal and you're not sharing a busy network with lots of other people. It can also reduce lag, which means your phone can respond more quickly when you're gaming, streaming or using video calls.

Everyday 5G speeds don't always match the fastest speeds providers advertise. Your speed can change depending on your location, your network and how close you are to a mast. It'll also be influenced by whether you're inside or outside and how many people are using the network nearby.

5G can feel like a big upgrade if you use your phone for data-heavy tasks. If you mainly use your phone for messages, calls, browsing and the odd map search, 4G might still do everything you need. But since 5G comes as standard across phones and SIM plans, you'll get it whenever you upgrade.

Where is 5G available in the UK?

5G is now available across many parts of the UK and coverage varies by area and provider. Ofcom's January 2026 data shows that overall 5G coverage outside premises ranges from 76% to 94% across individual mobile network operators. Coverage outside premises from all mobile network operators has also increased from 47% to 64%. This means the network you choose can make a big difference to the 5G signal you get.

You're more likely to get a strong 5G signal in towns, cities and busy areas. Rural locations, indoor spaces, basements and buildings with thick walls can make the signal weaker.

Before you choose a phone contract, SIM only deal or 5G broadband plan, check coverage at the places where you'll use it most to ensure you're joining the network with the best signal where you are. These locations can include your home, workplace, commute, university or anywhere you regularly travel.

What affects 5G speed and reliability?

5G doesn't work at the same speed everywhere. A few practical things can affect your signal and how reliable your connection feels.

Your 5G speed can depend on:

• Your distance from the nearest 5G mast.
• Whether you're indoors or outdoors.
• Thick walls, windows or building materials that block the signal.
• How many people are using the network nearby.
• Whether or not your network has strong 5G coverage in that area.
• Whether or not your phone, SIM and plan all support 5G.

If your 5G feels slow, it doesn't always mean there's a problem with your phone. You might be in a weaker coverage area, inside a building that blocks the signal or using the network at a busy time.

If this happens regularly, check your provider's network status and coverage map. You could also compare other mobile networks if you're near the end of your current contract.

Is 5G more expensive than 4G?

You don't need to pay a separate fee to use 5G. Many newer mobile plans and SIM only deals include it as part of the package, as long as your phone and location support 5G.

The cost of your plan will still depend on what you choose. A new handset, more data, a shorter contract or an unlimited plan could increase your monthly price. If you already have a 5G-ready phone, a SIM only deal could give you access to 5G without paying for a new device.

Before you switch, check:

• How much data you use each month.
• Whether your current phone supports 5G.
• Whether your network has 5G coverage where you need it.
• How long you have left on your current contract.
• Whether you'd pay an early exit fee to leave your plan.

Having said this, 5G can make it quicker to stream, browse and download. So you might use your data faster if you start watching higher-quality videos or downloading more on the go. If that sounds like you, compare plans with enough data for your usual habits.

What is 5G broadband?

5G broadband uses a mobile network to connect your home to the internet. Instead of relying on a fixed-line connection, like copper or fibre cables, you use a 5G router that connects to a mobile signal.

This can make 5G broadband a useful option if you:

• Don't want a long-term contract.
• Need broadband quickly.
• Can't get a strong fixed-line broadband service.
• Want an option that doesn't always need an engineer visit.
• Have strong 5G coverage at home.

5G broadband depends on signal strength. If the 5G signal inside your home is weak, speeds can drop or feel less reliable.

5G broadband vs fibre broadband

5G broadband and fibre broadband can both connect your home to the internet, but they work in different ways.

Fibre broadband is usually the best option if you want a steady fixed-line connection. But 5G broadband could work for you if you have a strong 5G network and want a quick, flexible way to get online.

Before you switch, compare broadband deals available at your address and check the likely speeds, contract length, data limits and setup costs.

Is 5G broadband worth switching to?

5G broadband can be worth considering if you get strong 5G coverage at home and your current broadband feels slow, limited or difficult to install.

It might not suit every home. Your speeds can change depending on signal strength, router position, network demand and local coverage.

Our expert says...

"5G broadband can be a useful alternative if you want a quick setup or you cannot get the fixed-line broadband speed you need at home. The key thing to check is indoor signal strength. A coverage map can tell you what's available in your area, but your router still needs a strong signal inside your property to give you a reliable connection."

- Catherine Hiley, Mobile and Broadband Expert

5G FAQs

What does 5G mean?

5G means fifth generation, referring to the next generation of mobile networks. It's the technology that comes after 4G.

For you, it can mean faster downloads, smoother streaming and lower lag when you use your mobile data in an area with strong 5G coverage.

Is my phone 5G?

Check your phone model, settings or the manufacturer's website to see if it supports 5G. You'll also need a network that supports 5G and a 5G mobile plan.

If your phone doesn't support 5G, it should still work on 4G, provided your device and plan support it.

How do I switch 5G on and off on my iPhone?

You can manage 5G settings by opening Settings, then Cellular or Mobile Data, then Cellular Data Options or Mobile Data Options. From there, you can choose how your iPhone uses 5G under Voice & Data.

You'll usually see three options:

If you can't see these settings, check that your iPhone supports 5G and that your mobile plan includes it.

How do I switch 5G on and off on my Android phone?

You should be able to switch 5G on or off in your Android phone's mobile network settings. Although the exact wording may vary depending on your phone, network and Android version.

Open Settings, then look for Network & Internet, Connections or Mobile Network. Choose your SIM, then select Preferred Network Type or Network Mode. From there, you can usually choose a 5G option to use 5G where it's available or select LTE or 4G to turn 5G off.

If you can't see a 5G option, check that your phone supports 5G. Some providers also limit which network settings you can change.

Does 5G use more data than 4G?

No, 5G doesn't use more data than 4G to do the same thing. Streaming the same video or downloading the same file should use the same amount of data.

The difference is that 5G can let you do those things faster. So you might watch more high-quality video, download more files or use more data-heavy apps because your connection feels quicker. And this will eat up more data.

Will 4G phones stop working in the UK?

No. 4G phones will continue to work on 4G networks if your device, SIM and plan support them.

3G mobile networks are now switched off in the UK, while providers are gradually switching off 2G networks over the next few years. Customers with 4G or 5G mobile devices or services are unlikely to be affected by the 3G switch-off.

If you have an older phone and you're not sure whether it supports 4G, contact your provider or check your device settings.

Why is my 5G connection slow?

Your 5G connection can feel slow if you have weak coverage, you're indoors, you're far from a mast or lots of people are using the same network nearby.

Your phone might also switch between 4G and 5G if the 5G signal is not strong enough. Try checking your network's coverage map or moving to a different part of the building to see if the signal improves.

Can I get 5G broadband where I live?

You can only get 5G broadband if a provider offers it at your address and your home gets a strong enough 5G signal.

Check availability before you sign up. You can use your provider's coverage checker or an approved coverage-checking tool to see what mobile and broadband services you can get where you live.

Can 5G replace fibre broadband?

5G broadband can replace fibre broadband for some homes, especially if you get a strong 5G signal and want a quick setup.

It might not be the right choice for everyone. Fibre broadband can give you a more consistent connection, especially if you have full fibre available at your address. 5G broadband depends more heavily on mobile signal strength, router position and network demand.

Does 5G broadband need a new router?

Yes, you'll need a router that can connect to a 5G mobile network if you want 5G broadband at home.

A standard fixed-line broadband router won't work in the same way because 5G broadband uses a mobile signal rather than a cable connection into your property.

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